After the healthy return on Goodfellas prompted Universal to back Scorsese’s Casino, it seemed like a no-brainer. It featured the same cast, including Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, completing a trilogy of mob movies that began with Raging Bull and continued with Goodfellas. Casino was the kind of high-profile gamble that studios often take with major releases, a risk that pays off big when it hits the mark.
The movie lays out how casinos manipulate customers into spending more money than they intend to, from the ding-ding-ding of slot machines to the oh-so-tempting smell of fresh carpet. It also explores how people who work hard for their money and make reasoned financial decisions on a day-to-day basis can throw hundreds or even thousands of dollars away in the blink of an eye based on a roll of the dice, spin of the wheel, or draw of the cards.
Casinos often give away free goods or services to “good” players, who are known as comps. These might include free hotel rooms, meals, tickets to shows, or airline tickets. Casinos may also offer comps to those who spend a certain amount of time playing. They can ask the information desk or a casino employee for more information.
Casinos are an important part of many communities. They provide jobs and bring in tax revenue, which helps reduce unemployment and boost local economies. These tax revenues can also help prevent cuts to other community services.
