A casino is an establishment for gambling, with the primary goal of attracting individuals who are willing to wager money on games of chance or skill. In addition to gambling, casinos offer food and drink, luxury hotels, and entertainment such as live music and comedy acts. Casinos often combine these facilities with other tourist attractions, such as shopping malls and theme parks, in order to increase revenue.

While luck plays a major role in gambling, many players consider the skills involved to be rewarding as well. Some of these skills include etiquette, reading opponents, and developing strategies over time. These elements create a sense of achievement, even when the player does not win every session.

Unlike other Vegas-themed movies that only show the opulent side of Las Vegas, Casino focuses on the city’s history with organized crime. Scorsese’s film lays bare how mob bosses ran the city, with tendrils reaching into politics, the Teamsters union, and Midwest mafia families.

The movie’s greatest asset is its cast. Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci are all outstanding in their roles. The latter’s portrayal of the ruthless Nicky Santoro is one of the best depictions of predatory scumbagery in cinema history. Moreover, the scene where he turns his attention to Ginger McKenna is an excellent example of how subtly and effectively a plot can be built around a single character. This is especially true in a gangster movie. This is why Casino is a classic in its own right, far surpassing the likes of Goodfellas and The Godfather.