Casino is a popular destination for people looking to take a gamble at games of chance like poker, roulette, and blackjack. It’s not only the thrill of trying your luck at these games that draws people to casinos, but also the opulent decor and upbeat music that create a fun atmosphere for patrons to enjoy.

Often casinos have restaurants and bars as well, which can attract visitors looking for more than just the chance of winning big on some slot machine. Many of these casinos are designed to mimic the ambiance and feel of a high-end nightclub or hotel with bright lights, extravagant decor, and upbeat music. Some casinos even use a scent to create an intoxicating, euphoric environment.

The success of Goodfellas and Raging Bull convinced Universal Pictures to greenlight Casino, another mob epic with De Niro and Joe Pesci starring in the lead roles. Scorsese was not interested in making a movie that would be dismissed as another sanitized Hollywood version of the underworld, and he made sure to include scenes of violence and profanity throughout the film. Yet despite the brutality, Casino is ultimately a love letter to its titular characters, and an indictment of how much Vegas has changed since its heyday. It’s a cautionary tale that resonates as it reimagines the past, just as Boogie Nights did a decade later. The casino industry is regulated, with some states prohibiting casinos altogether while others regulate the types of gambling offered. Some of the most popular casinos in the United States are in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Chicago.