Beneath the gloss of flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are businesses that, like any other business, are designed to make money. Most gambling games have mathematically determined odds that give the house an advantage over patrons, known as the “house edge.” Some, like blackjack and video poker, also have an element of skill, but even then the house has a built-in advantage.

Something about gambling seems to inspire people to cheat and steal, trying to beat the system instead of accepting that they will lose in the long run. That is one reason why casinos spend a lot of time, effort and money on security.

The cast of Casino is impressive, with Robert De Niro as the slick-talking mobster Frank Costello and Sharon Stone as the blonde hustler Ginger McKenna. Joe Pesci rounds out the top tier, portraying Santoro with such menace that he makes even his most minor scenes tense to watch.

Casino is a fascinating and entertaining movie, showcasing the way that gambling has become bigger than Vegas itself. The movie explains how the mafia lost control of a city that once minted billions. It is a drama of greed, treachery and violence, but it is also a film of redemption and hope. It reveals the power of the human spirit, even in the darkest of circumstances. It is, in short, a classic. And that is why we recommend you see it as soon as you can.