After Goodfellas blew up the box office in 1995, Universal Pictures gave Martin Scorsese Casino to star Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in an organized crime drama based on Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction book. It’s an epic story of vice in a city built on it, and while it lacks the pizzazz of its mob-family predecessor, this is still a film that’s worth checking out.

Gambling is a great way to relieve negative emotions like stress and frustration. But it’s important to remember that you can’t rely on luck when gambling. You’ll need to have a clear mind and strong focus to succeed in gambling. This is why casinos spend so much time and money on security. There are many ways to cheat or scam your way into a jackpot, and security is always watching.

Casino’s opening sequence feels more like an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at how a casino works than the beginning of a movie about mafia gangsters. That’s thanks to fast cuts and stylized, documentary-like footage. Later, as the movie progresses, it starts to evolve away from this style and toward more of a traditional narrative.

The main characters in Casino are inspired by real people. Sam “Ace” Rothstein is based on Frank Rosenthal, who ran the Stardust, Fremont and Marina casinos in Las Vegas for the Chicago Outfit from 1968 until 1981. Ginger is based on mob dancer and socialite Geri McGee, while Nicky is based on mob enforcer Anthony Spilotro.