Unlike many other movies that glamorize Las Vegas and gambling, Casino digs deep and lays bare the city’s past ties to organized crime. It is also one of Martin Scorsese’s most violent films, with scenes involving torture and attempted murder, as well as gangland violence. This makes the movie a tough watch, but it is still fascinating and entertaining. There are some great performances in the film, with Robert De Niro as gangster Don Rickles and Sharon Stone as the blonde hustler Ginger McKenna being standouts. Joe Pesci is also good as the volatile Santoro.

Casinos use a number of tricks to keep players gambling and spending money. These include strategic placement of amenities like toilets, restaurants, and cash machines deep within the gaming area. This makes players walk past numerous slot machines and tables on their way to these facilities, increasing the chances of them making spur-of-the-moment decisions to play a few more hands or spins.

Another trick casinos employ is giving players comps, or loyalty rewards, such as free meals and rooms. These perks make players feel valued and encourage them to continue gambling. Casinos can also program their slot machines to produce “near wins,” where a player is tantalizingly close to winning. This triggers the brain’s reward system and keeps players playing in the hopes of hitting a big jackpot.

The bottom line is that, no matter how enticing the bonuses and jackpots may be, you should never gamble more than you can afford to lose. If you start losing money, walk away, take a break, and come back with a clear head.