A casino is a place where people can gamble by playing games of chance, and in some cases with an element of skill. In many countries, casinos are licensed and regulated by government agencies. They often feature hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment shows. They may also have one or more gaming floors.
In modern casinos, players can change cash into colorful chips that represent real money. This helps to dissociate gambling from spending actual currency. The casinos may offer additional ways to make deposits and withdrawals easy and convenient, such as through a wide range of payment methods or by providing loyalty programs that reward frequent patrons with prizes such as free meals and hotel rooms.
Martin Scorcese’s fascinating film Casino is based on the true story of mobster Sam “Ace” Rothstein, who ran Vegas casinos for the mob. It’s a gripping tale of greed and treachery that’s full of surprisingly sympathetic characters—including a trophy wife (Sharon Stone) and a loose-cannon mobster (Joe Pesci). As usual with Scorcese movies, the movie feels like a documentary, with narration and scenes shot in a style that recalls Goodfellas.