Casino is a movie about gambling, but not in the way you might think. It’s a story about the social aspect of casinos and how people interact with one another in an environment that is designed around noise, light, and excitement. Whether it’s table games like blackjack and poker or slot machines, casino gambling is all about interacting with other gamblers. People shout encouragement to each other and even cheer when a fellow player hits a jackpot. Alcohol is readily available and is often brought directly to players by waiters circulating the floor, but nonalcoholic drinks are also on hand.

The casino is a place where champagne glasses clink and locals and tourists mingle. Those who gamble in a casino are a diverse group, ranging from the seasoned regulars to those who simply want to try their luck at beating the odds. But they all have something in common – they’re having a blast. With music blaring and coins clinking, the atmosphere is electric. Even when a player is having a bad day, the good vibes are usually enough to make them come back tomorrow and try their luck again.

Casino features a powerhouse cast led by Robert De Niro in the role of the charismatic Ace, who embodies both the best and the worst aspects of the underworld lifestyle. But the movie never confuses depiction with endorsement; the violence, including the torture of a man in a vice and the murder of Joe Pesci’s character, is portrayed for both its shock value and because it’s genuinely part of the reality of casino life.