The casino industry is a powerful economic force. Casinos create jobs, attract visitors to local businesses, and generate tax revenue for their home communities. But there are also concerns that casinos lead to an increase in gambling addiction and other negative outcomes.
Martin Scorsese dials up Goodfellas to the power of 11 in Casino, which lays bare the mob life in Vegas at the time of its peak in 1971, when Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro) was in full control, funneling money from mob-controlled Teamsters unions to various Vegas casinos. Its tentacles touched the Vegas hotel-casino circuit, politicians, Chicago mob families, and the Teamsters union itself.
It’s easy to get drawn into the casino atmosphere, with its flashing lights and hypnotic beats. It’s also hard to walk away from a game of blackjack or slots, especially if you’re on a winning streak. But there are many tricks that casinos use to lure gamblers in and keep them playing.
For example, curving paths between gaming areas and strategically placed slot machines are designed to catch players’ attention while they wander around the floor, encouraging them to try their luck at a new machine or round of roulette. And casinos offer loyalty programs that reward players with free meals, drinks, rooms, and other perks if they play enough. These comps make players feel valued and encourage them to keep gambling to rack up those points.
Another trick is that casinos change cash into colorful little chips so that losing doesn’t feel as bad. But if you want to avoid getting caught in the casino trap, start with a fixed amount of money that you’re ready to lose and never add more to it. This way, if you’re losing, you know that the loss is only temporary.