It’s happened to everyone: You stride into the Luxor or Mohegan Sun or Tropicana brimming with confidence, wallet in hand, and plan for a little fun and maybe two rounds of drinks. Then hours later you have no idea what time it is or where your money went. It’s a casino’s sly little trick. Casinos are designed to make you lose track of time and forget how much you spent. They use sounds, lights, and physical design to create a manufactured blissful experience that’s hard to step away from.
The story of Casino stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in a tale that spans several decades and includes many memorable scenes. De Niro plays Sam “Ace” Rothstein, the slick and cool boss of one of Sin City’s top casinos. He’s a smart guy who’s got a veneer of honesty even for a mobster. Pesci plays Nicky, a nutcase who’s out of control and lets his anger dictate most of his decisions.
Martin Scorsese’s Casino is one of his most powerful movies and features a riveting plot. It’s also one of the longest movies he’s made, but it never lags or runs out of steam. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in the gambling industry and the ways that casinos manipulate their customers. You might not be able to eliminate your losses, but you can reduce the amount of money you give to them. Here are some tips to help you do just that.