Casino is a 1995 movie from director Martin Scorsese that exposes the dark side of Las Vegas. The film stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in a story about organized crime, glitzy casinos, and high-stakes gambling. The film was a hit, earning more than $200 million worldwide. It also introduced the world to the Bellagio, a famous hotel and casino known for its dancing fountains, luxury accommodations, and breath-taking art installations. The movie is still popular today and is a must-see for anyone who wants to know what really happens in a Las Vegas casino.
What makes it so difficult for some people to walk away from a casino is the fact that they’re playing with real money. They’re losing hundreds or thousands of dollars based on the roll of the dice, the spin of the wheel, or the draw of the cards. The fact is, the house always wins. But how do casinos make otherwise rational people —people who work hard for their incomes and make reasoned financial decisions on a daily basis —throw away so much cash?
The answer lies in the way casinos are designed. Casinos are designed to trick the senses. Bright lights flash, sounds blare, and players cheer when someone else hits a big jackpot or wins a hand of poker. These feelings create a false sense of possibility that keeps the others betting, even though they’re bleeding chips. And when a player hits a near-miss, the casino can still profit from his or her loss by selling a simulated version of success that gives gamblers a reason to keep playing.
To help their patrons feel like they’re in a world of wonder and joy, casinos often smell good. They waft scented oils through their ventilation systems that make patrons feel happy and at ease, even as they lose money. They’re also designed to be labyrinthine, with no straight aisles leading to the exits. And they serve booze nonstop to lower inhibitions and cloud judgment.
All of these tactics are designed to create a manufactured feeling of bliss and make people want to stay, play, and spend more money than they should. Gambling is not a profitable way to make money, but many people still do it for the thrill of winning and the chance to get lucky. The key to winning in a casino is to start with a fixed amount of money that you’re ready to lose and stick to it. Then, play with that money and enjoy yourself — but don’t forget that the only way to win is to make more than you lose. And that requires a combination of skill, luck, and pure pleasure. This is why so many gamblers become addicted to the game. It’s a drug that makes them feel good while they’re losing, and they can’t quit until they’ve lost everything. Then they’re forced to turn to other forms of gambling, such as drugs and alcohol, to cope with their loss.
