The casino is a gambling establishment that offers patrons the opportunity to gamble by playing games of chance. Generally, casinos employ security measures to prevent cheating and theft by both staff and patrons. These measures include security cameras, ensuring that all bets are placed and recorded, and electronic monitoring of roulette wheels, dice, blackjack tables, and other table games to discover any statistical deviation from expected results. The casino is also often designed with secluded areas to provide privacy and a sense of security to players, as well as an attractive ambience that promotes gaming and relaxation. For example, casinos often waft scented oils throughout their ventilation systems and use bright lights to create a euphoric atmosphere.
Due to the large amounts of money handled within a casino, employees and patrons may be tempted to steal or cheat, either in collusion or independently. To mitigate these risks, most casinos employ security cameras to monitor all activities, and table dealers are required to keep their cards visible at all times. Additionally, some casinos have a “chip tracking” system in which betting chips are linked to an electronic monitoring system, allowing the casino to oversee the exact amount of money wagered minute by minute and warn of any anomaly.
Casino is the first of Scorsese’s films to feature a lot of violence, but it never feels gratuitous. It’s part of the film’s overall tone and ambiance, as well as the acting of De Niro and Sharon Stone, who both deliver captivating performances as mob henchmen Nicky and Ginger McKenna. The movie is also one of the best portrayals of organized crime ever put on screen.