Casino (Movie Review)

A powerful and complex story of corruption, betrayal, and destruction, Casino is a masterwork of Martin Scorsese. Its scope stretches far beyond the mobster world of Goodfellas and into the wider realm of organized crime in Las Vegas. It reveals how casinos, and the mob that controls them, can be ripped apart by lust, greed, and hubris.

Beneath the twinkling lights and free cocktails, casinos are rigged to slowly bleed patrons of their hard-earned cash. For years, mathematically inclined minds have attempted to turn the tables on this skewed system, using their knowledge of probability and game theory to exploit weaknesses in the underlying mathematics. These people are called gaming mathematicians and gaming analysts.

One of the most common tricks casinos use to keep players playing is to reward them with “near wins.” These trigger a similar brain response as an actual win, making players believe that they’re on the verge of breaking out and winning big. This can lead to them spending more time and money on a game, even when the odds are still stacked against them.

As the story of mobster Sam Rothstein and his relationship with feisty hustler Ginger McKenna unfolds, Casino takes us into their world of seedy excess and twisted loyalty. De Niro and Stone deliver brilliant performances, and Joe Pesci adds menace as mob strongman Nicky Santoro. Despite its length, Casino is a gripping and memorable film.