A casino is a gambling establishment where patrons play games of chance. These games include card and table games like blackjack and roulette, as well as slots and video poker. Many casinos also feature live entertainment and top-notch hotels, spas, and restaurants.

Something about gambling (perhaps the fact that large amounts of money are involved) seems to encourage people to cheat or steal their way into a jackpot, which is why casinos spend a significant amount of time and effort on security. This starts on the gaming floor, where employees keep their eyes peeled for any blatant cheating or rigging of the game or its results. Dealers are especially observant, and they can spot any attempts at palming, marking, or switching cards or dice. Casinos also have a number of high-up employees watching over the entire operation, ensuring that all players are treated fairly and that nobody is taking advantage of anyone else.

Movies about casinos often portray the glamorous atmosphere of these places, and many casinos require their customers to adhere to a strict dress code. These images give movies about casinos an added veneer of style and sophistication that makes them appealing to viewers. Movies about casinos also often focus on the gambling aspect of these businesses, which can be exciting and lucrative if played correctly.

One of the most famous films about casinos is Martin Scorsese’s Casino, which tells the story of how mob rule in Las Vegas ended and huge gambling corporations took over the city. This is an epic, sprawling film that focuses on only three key characters but covers a lot of ground in the process. Some of the movie’s scenes—including the torture of De Niro’s character and the death by overdose of Stone’s character—are shocking in their intensity.