In a time when Hollywood was in the grip of violent, profane crime epics, Casino was like a breath of fresh air. The film took a look at the dark side of Las Vegas, showing that the city wasn’t just about opulence and weekend getaways. It was also about organized crime. The movie brought in stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, and it was based on a true story. That helped to boost its box office returns, and it established Scorsese as a master of the genre.

Behind the flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics, engineered to slowly bleed their patrons of cash. For years, mathematically inclined people have tried to turn the tables by using knowledge of probability and game theory to exploit the house edge. Some of them have even made it to the final scene in Casino, but their attempts to beat the house ended up costing them everything—including their lives.

Casinos have several ways of keeping gamblers coming back and spending more money than they intended to. For example, they waft scented oils throughout their ventilation systems to create a feeling of euphoria. They also use music, colorful lighting, and dazzling slot machines to evoke a sense of wonder and excitement.

The casinos also offer players non-monetary gifts that they call comps or promotions. These include loss rebates, free play, monthly mailers, and more. There’s a fine line between these and monetary gifts, but some of them (like airline ticket reimbursement) could technically fall into either category.