The depiction of gambling in the film Casino (1995)

Today we're going to talk about a film legend, Martin Scorsese's Casino. Specifically, to discuss exactly how gambling is portrayed in it. Does it depict the real atmosphere of the gambling business? Let's find out!

The script describes the events of the pre-digital era. Although there was video surveillance back then, many tasks were performed by humans. The casino is described as a playground where an amazing number of employees with clearly assigned responsibilities fulfill their roles in protecting the casino's interests. However, this is only the front part and, as you can imagine, the backdrops of this setting are even more interesting. As we detail some of the scenes, there is a risk of spoilers.

Gambling, business and crime

In the film, a gangster union representative uses Pension Fund money to subsidize the purchase of a casino in Tangier. The straw man is given a huge loan, which he uses to buy the property and then run it as CEO. Of course, criminal masterminds are pulling the strings.

The casino operates under the strict supervision of Sam Rothstein, a man appointed by the crime syndicate and described as a man who "eats, sleeps and gambles". Since he is the real boss, Rothstein's only responsibility is to ensure that the casino continues to make obscene amounts of money. When the money flows from the tables, through the cashier's cage and into the counting room, the real extent of what is happening is revealed with brutal honesty. As the famous line goes, ". they had so much money they could build a house out of hundred-dollar notes". As the space for counting is limited, even for top managers, income is correspondingly reduced.

The purpose of the whole affair is to channel thick bales of undeclared money directly into the hands of the mafia without the knowledge of the tax authorities. Furthermore, Rothstein works without an official license, knowing that with his gambling record he will never get one. Nevertheless, the show goes on for two reasons. Firstly, the loophole allows anyone to work while an application for a license is pending, and secondly, the lazy administration keeps piling up applications pending for decades.

Roles and hierarchy on the floor (and in the concrete)

As the protagonist says, "in Vegas, everyone has to keep an eye on everyone". That's why there are plenty of irrelevant personnel on the floor. Suddenly you realize that there may be as many staff as there are players. There seem to be a lot of hierarchical levels: dealer, pitmaster, department manager, pit boss, shift supervisor, casino manager, Sam Rothstein and finally the 'eye in the sky' watching them all. Along with a security camera and a presence on the ground, the former intruders, who know all the tricks, hide under the ceiling and watch the tables for suspicious activity. This shows a serious commitment to ensuring that the casino always wins for those who try to beat the odds. Ugh! How nice that in today's world you can gamble in peace right at home: just visit the best online casinos https://topcasinoer.net/bet365-poker/.

The VIP treatment

As the story progresses we come to a point where it explains how important people in local society are treated. Simply put, the people's elected representatives, who had considerable power in the city, had everything going for them at home. However, this was dismissed as an acceptable cost. Another scene explains who is really watching on the line. A high-stakes baccarat player who could have shut down the casino wins $2 million. A free private jet is arranged for him, which returns to the airport shortly after take-off because of an alleged technical problem. Everything is prepared just to get the man back to the hotel, where an entire floor is booked just for him.

Unable to stay away from the table, he returns and loses all his winnings as well as a million of his money. As Ace Rothstein says: "The most important rule in casinos is that they keep playing and keep coming back. The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we all get it."

How to fight cheaters

Although VIPs are always welcome, there is another group of players who cause blacklists to appear. Of course, we're talking about cheaters. In the film, Sam Rothstein sees a team of two blackjack players gesturing at each other. After a quick and well-orchestrated diversion, both are taken to a back room where guards seriously injure one of them. The other is given the choice of money plus pain or a safe exit.

However, this is not the only demonstration of violence. In another scene, a player rudely refuses to be guided away from the table. Rothstein then instructs the security staff to take the man out and tells him how violent he would like it to be. Perhaps that's all about the messages.

Coincidence and distortion

There are a few scenes that give more meaning to the statement "the casino always wins". In one of these scenes, the protagonist carefully checks a pair of dice with a measuring instrument before letting them into play. This is done in front of a crowd that surrounds the table in silent expectation. The reasons for the checking are not revealed because of the story or the dialogue.

However, some contextual details are suggestive, as the pot full of chips and the number of people around indicate that play is suspended. We can only speculate whether this is a routine check, or whether it was instigated by suspicious profits. This scene is probably meant to emphasize the competence of the character more than to describe a conflict situation.

In another scene, Rothstein becomes enraged by a strange set of circumstances. Three different slot machines with four reels won the jackpot in less than 20 minutes, raising suspicions that they might have been rigged. The boss points out that the second win should have raised the flag and angrily blames the caretaker for not turning off the machine in time.

Rothstein then fires the caretaker, believing that he is either too incompetent or involved in a fraud aimed at robbing the casino. In this situation, the character expresses disbelief in the possibility that coincidences can occur purely by chance and refuses to accept them as random events. It can therefore be assumed that he has fallen victim to a gambler's mistake.

However, Rothstein is partial to the obligation to ensure that the odds are always against the players and has the intelligence and tools to balance the balance in favor of the casino. But his frustration can be explained by the simple fact that no one likes to lose seven figures.

If you haven't seen Casino yet, you should take a few hours to check it out. You won't be disappointed. The film tells the story perfectly, ignoring the gambling moments. The atmosphere of the establishment and what goes on are conveyed with decent accuracy.