A casino is a public place where gambling activities take place. While many casinos add a variety of other luxuries to lure in visitors, such as restaurants and stage shows, the gambling activity is still the primary focus of a casino. Historically, the word casino was used for small Italian clubhouses where members would gather to socialize and play games of chance, such as poker and blackjack.
Casinos are heavily regulated and have to follow strict rules, both in terms of gambling laws and internal security measures. The latter are often a mix of technology and human surveillance, with casino employees constantly keeping an eye on the casino’s patrons. For instance, casino security workers on the floor watch tables with a wide-angle view so they can spot any suspicious behavior, such as cheating by marking cards or switching dice. In addition, the casino’s security team has high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” cameras that can be focused on specific patrons and rooms.
The house edge and variance for each casino game are calculated by mathematicians and computer programmers who work as gaming analysts. These figures tell casino managers how much profit they can expect to make, and help them balance the books by setting aside cash reserves to cover potential losses.
While some people may find the violence in Casino over-the-top, Scorsese’s decision to depict it as it happened reflects an authentic and true picture of life in Las Vegas during this time. The movie is a compelling and riveting thriller that’s well worth a viewing.