When it comes to depicting the dark side of gambling, no film does it better than Casino. This Martin Scorsese classic is a masterful tale of greed and treachery, as every key character in the movie is mired in avarice, deceit, and violence. This movie has no space for heroes or heroines, and is ultimately a tragic story of human tragedy.

The word “casino” derives from the Latin casum, meaning “house,” and is the name given to a building where people can play games of chance for money or other rewards. The term was probably first used to describe the gaming establishments built in Venice, Italy. Today, casinos can be found all over the world. Some are small and intimate, while others have a grand scale and offer luxury accommodations, cutting-edge technology, and flexible event and entertainment spaces.

Gambling has long been a popular form of entertainment, and it’s no surprise that it continues to fascinate and inspire. But there are certain things you need to know if you want to gamble successfully.

For starters, understand that the house always wins. Unlike charity, casinos don’t just give away free money to players; they have specific business models in place to ensure their profitability. They have built-in advantages, known as the house edge, that ensure the casino will win in the long run. These advantages are mathematically built into the games offered by a casino and are designed to prevent patrons from winning more than they can afford to lose.