Casino was Martin Scorsese’s follow-up to Goodfellas and, at the time, it was a much anticipated gangster film. It was based on the book written by Nicholas Pileggi who had full access to Sam “Ace” Rothstein and other mob members to tell their story. The movie focuses on how the mafia skimmed millions of dollars from casinos.

The movie is a fascinating and entertaining look into the underbelly of Vegas. It shows how the mob skimmed money from casino table games like blackjack and poker. It also explains how casinos use psychological design to create an immersive experience and encourage gamblers to play longer. It also explains how the lack of clocks and windows create a sense of timelessness. The movie is a must-see for any movie lover.

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci give outstanding performances. Although, Sharon Stone steals the show as Ginger McKenna, a blonde hustler that no man would want to have on his side. She is sexy and dangerous, a femme fatale that you can’t help but love to hate.

As a lifelong gambler, I enjoyed the way that the movie didn’t portray all gamblers as stupid. It portrayed the many people who are smart enough to know that gambling isn’t for them, and that the people running the casinos take advantage of those that don’t. I also liked the fact that the movie didn’t shy away from the violence of organized crime and showed some of the sexy, horrific things that go on in Vegas.