A casino is a gambling establishment, with games of chance such as slots and table games. Often, casinos will also have restaurants and other entertainment venues. In addition, some casinos will have shows and other attractions.

The casino, like all businesses, has a business model. It is a profitable enterprise in the short term. But over the long haul, the house edge will grind it down to nothingness. That’s why casinos are famous for lacking clocks and windows; they want to keep players unaware of the passing of time, so that they will stay longer.

While the Mafia was ejected from Vegas in the 1980s, big corporations took over and began to mint billions. This is the story of that era, told through the eyes of two gamblers and their associates.

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are both outstanding, but it’s Sharon Stone who really steals the show as Ginger McKenna. She is absolutely stunning in this film; the performance both builds on and inverts her breakthrough turn in Basic Instinct. Her sexy, ruthless, and always-on-the-edge character is a formidable foe for Ace and Nicky. In fact, she’s one of the best performances by any actress in any movie, ever. And she’s not the only great performer in Casino; every single member of this remarkable cast delivers a terrific performance. It’s another masterpiece from the acclaimed director Martin Scorsese.