A casino is a place where champagne glasses clink, gamblers laugh and chatter, and tourists and locals mix to give a whole lot of buzz. Whether they’re playing table games, testing their luck on the slot machines, or simply socializing and listening to live music, gambling isn’t just about chance; it’s about putting your faith in other people.
With so much money on the line, it’s not surprising that casinos are a target for cheating and stealing (whether in collusion with staff or independently). Because of this, casinos spend a lot of time and effort ensuring that their security systems are up to par. This includes an elaborate eye-in-the-sky system that watches every table, window, and doorway; it can even be adjusted to focus on specific suspicious patrons. In addition, security guards patrol the casino floor constantly and waiters float throughout to serve drinks.
Something about gambling — maybe it’s the large amounts of money on the tables or the fact that you’re surrounded by other players — seems to encourage people to cheat, steal and scam their way into a jackpot instead of simply trying to win through blind chance. That’s why casinos are a little bit paranoid and have many security measures in place to prevent this from happening.
In Casino, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are both outstanding as casino moguls Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro. But it’s Sharon Stone who truly shines; despite the film’s countless sub-plots and tangent stories she remains the center of the action.
