A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. There are many different types of gambling games, from the more complex table games to the simple slot machines. Gambling has been a part of human civilization for millennia, with evidence dating back to 2300 BC in China. The first casinos, with a more formal structure, appeared in the Middle East around 1000 AD, with the first game to be called blackjack being developed in the early 1600s.

Modern casinos offer a variety of entertainment, but the main attraction is still the games of chance. While lighted fountains, stage shows and lavish hotels help draw in the crowds, casinos would not exist without the billions of dollars raked in every year from games like poker, blackjack, roulette and slots.

While some may view casinos as a form of addiction, the majority of casino patrons are there for a good time. With music blaring and coins clinking, it is hard not to get caught up in the excitement of the gaming experience.

Unlike other movies set in Las Vegas, Casino does not shy away from the darker side of the city. From the brutal car bomb scene to the gruesome deaths of De Niro’s and Joe Pesci’s characters, Scorsese’s movie depicts the real Sin City. Even so, the film remains a lean and mean thriller throughout, thanks to the masterful editing and taut narration. It is helped immensely by the terrific acting of Sharon Stone, who plays the sexy and seductive Ginger McKenna to perfection.