It’s happened to us all: You stride into the Luxor, Mohegan Sun or Tropicana brimming with confidence, wallet in hand and plans for a bit of enjoyable, sensible gaming and maybe two rounds of cocktails. But hours later, you’ve lost all of your money and have no idea what time it is. You’re in the grip of a casino, where every sound, light and physical design element is designed to keep you gambling for longer.
The Chance of Winning
While gambling should be viewed as entertainment and not a way to make money, the possibility of winning adds an extra layer of excitement. Many casinos offer jackpots and other prize promotions that can range from cash prizes to luxury cars, vacations and other high-value items. These prizes provide a dopamine hit for players and keep them returning to the tables, even when their bankroll is dwindling.
Martin Scorsese’s fascinating new movie, Casino, is a tense and taut look at the Mafia’s relationship with Las Vegas casinos in the 1970s. The film benefits from the energy and pacing of the director, but it’s also rich in little details that feel just right, like when Ace Rothstein (Robert De Niro) orders casino cooks to put “exactly the same amount of blueberries into each muffin.” It’s all captured on camera by cinematographer Joe Wright, who combines his skills as a traditional matte painter with digital technology. He has shot several films that have won Academy Awards, including Batman Returns and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.