The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, but the vast majority of its profits comes from gambling. Slot machines, black jack, roulette, craps and other games are the source of billions of dollars in profit that casinos generate each year. But there’s more to casinos than gambling; they offer a full array of amenities, including prime dining and beverage facilities and performance venues for popular pop, rock and jazz artists.
Stepping into a casino is like stepping into an alternate reality – the lights and the music are always flashy, there’s usually a throng of people, and a palpable energy that’s hard to ignore. Casinos captivate people for a variety of reasons, but the adrenaline rush of winning is a major draw for many.
People who play at casinos can be a pretty diverse bunch, from people who strut around confidently expecting to win big to those looking to claw back their last bet’s losses. But they all share one thing in common – they’re having a great time! There’s something about gambling that encourages people to cheat, steal and otherwise swindle their way into the winnings, but that’s the nature of the beast.
In Casino, De Niro shines as the stoic Ace and is supported by a brilliantly spiffy turn from Sharon Stone, who plays Nicky as a smart-aleck hustler who can’t quite rein herself in. But it’s Stone who spikes the movie with her sultry, seductive energy and her ability to hold the camera’s gaze.