Casino – How to Stay Away From a Gambling Addiction

While there have been many films set in Las Vegas, few captured the actual history of Sin City like Casino. Martin Scorsese was unafraid to fling open the doors of his movie, letting his audience in on the fact that casinos aren’t all flashing lights and free cocktails. Underneath, they are rigged to slowly bleed patrons of their hard-earned cash.

The film centers on Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American gambling expert handicapper hired by the Chicago Outfit to oversee day-to-day operations of Tangiers, a fictional casino in downtown Las Vegas. As he carries out his duties, Ace is aided by his mobbed-up partner Nicky Santoro (Pesci) and streetwise chip hustler Ginger McKenna (Stone).

While some people enjoy gambling as a form of entertainment and relaxation, others feel it is something that should be avoided at all costs. The truth is, it’s a dangerous habit. Not only can it lead to serious financial problems, but it can also damage a person’s health. Here are some tips to help you stay away from this addiction.

At three hours long, Casino is one of the longest movies ever made by Scorsese, yet it never lags or loses steam. The director’s energy and pacing are evident throughout, from the way he uses music to create suspense to his attention to detail — for instance, the fact that a casino cook puts exactly one blueberry in every muffin. There are plenty of captivating themes, too, from the false bedrock on which Ace’s marriage was built to Nicky turning into a ravenous hound after Ginger.