Casino is Martin Scorsese’s epic drama about the mafia-run gambling empire that dominated Las Vegas in the 1980s. Though it lacks the pizzazz of Goodfellas, it’s still a gripping tale of greed and corruption. It is also one of the most violent movies ever made, with scenes involving murder, torture, and drug abuse. While some might see the violence as over-the-top, it’s important to remember that the film is based on true events. The characters are modeled after actual mob figures, and their actions have real-world implications. The corruption that drove them was not simply isolated to Las Vegas, but was spread around the country by mob syndicates linked to politicians, labor unions, and even the Teamsters.
The movie reveals how the mafia used its power in Las Vegas to mint billions of dollars, and then watched as that power was slowly stripped away by the emergence of huge corporate casinos with more diversified operations. While the story is compelling, it is also tragic because there are no true heroes in this tale of treachery and greed. The story is also a cautionary tale about how big business, once it gains control over the gambling industry, can easily corrupt that industry.
Although there are no casinos in the world that have a zero house edge, there are many that make very large profits. This is primarily because the casino industry is highly competitive and the profit margins on individual games are tight. This means that a casino cannot lose money for long periods of time, as it would quickly go bankrupt. In order to offset this risk, casinos must maximize their profits, which they do by offering extravagant inducements to high rollers. This can include free spectacular entertainment, luxury transportation, and free meals and drinks while gambling.
