One of the most acclaimed movies from director Martin Scorsese, Casino is an entertaining and informative look at Vegas and how it has evolved. It follows the rise of gambling corporations and how mafia-linked players lost control of a city that was minting billions. It also shows how casinos skim money from other games, food service, and gift shops.
Throughout the movie, we see De Niro’s character being forced to make tough decisions. His dynamic with Sharon Stone’s Ginger McKenna is riveting, and Joe Pesci adds the perfect level of menacing menace as his mobster character. The movie is a three-hour powerhouse that never lags or runs out of steam.
Casino is a brilliant example of the way that visual stimuli can influence behavior. Dazzling lights and cheerful music create a manufactured state of euphoria, which makes players want to stay longer and gamble more. Another psychological trick casinos use is to place essential amenities like toilets, restaurants, and cash machines deep within the gaming area. This ensures that players must pass by a lot of slot machines and tables on their journey to the toilet or to buy a snack, increasing the likelihood of spur-of-the-moment decisions to make just one more bet.
In addition, casino tax revenue can be an important source of funds for local governments, helping them avoid budget cuts or increase taxes elsewhere. However, it is important to note that most of the skilled labor needed for a casino comes from outside the local community. This means that the promised decrease in unemployment for the original population may not be realized.
