A casino is a place where people from all walks of life come to play, mingle and share in a common experience. Casinos also contribute to the local economy by employing people, creating jobs and generating tax revenue. This revenue is then spent on goods and services in the community.
In a world that feels increasingly isolating and where face-to-face connection has been replaced by virtual communication, casinos are still one of the few public spaces where people from all backgrounds can gather and connect with others. Casinos also offer a number of health benefits, such as stimulating the brain and helping to relieve stress. But there are many more ways to boost your mental health than gambling, such as engaging in regular physical activity, practicing mindfulness and meditation or spending time with loved ones.
Like Paul Verhoeven’s Showgirls a few years later, Martin Scorsese’s Casino is not just a film set in Sin City, but a civic portrait scribbled in neon in the shape of a rigged wheel. The movie focuses on the mob’s relationship with Las Vegas and the characters who run its casinos. It also explores the incestuous nature of Nevada politics and the inevitable betrayals that occur over long periods of time.
Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone are at their best here, bringing to life the lustful greed of Sam “Ace” Rothstein and the feisty Ginger McKenna. The story builds to a climax that is every bit as satisfying as Goodfellas or Mean Streets.