Casinos are fun and fast-paced, and the adrenaline rush from winning or losing is what keeps players coming back for more. From the flashing lights and clinking coins to the pulsing music, every aspect of a casino is designed to create an upbeat atmosphere. Guests at casinos are a diverse group, from the regulars strutting their stuff to the unsure visitors hoping they can win big or make up for what they lost the last time. Regardless of their personal goals, however, they all share the same objective – to have a good time.

A casino’s environment is crucial to its success, and everything from the color of the lighting to the shape of the floor and wall coverings can contribute to the atmosphere. For example, many casinos choose bright and gaudy colors like red to stimulate the senses and encourage people to gamble longer. Then there are the visual media elements, such as video screens that can show real-time action or offer a virtual experience. A casino may even use these devices to promote comps (free goods or services, such as hotel rooms, dinners, shows, limo service, and airline tickets) to big spenders.

The violence and scumbaggery of Casino is a lot more intense than that of the more family-friendly Boogie Nights, but Scorsese is still convincing in conveying the sense of deception, fear, and betrayal. And De Niro and Joe Pesci are excellent, with some of their finest performances.