Casino is the epic tale of how organized crime shaped Vegas and bled it dry. It lays bare the seedy underbelly of Sin City and its past ties to mob families across the country. It also reveals how huge gambling corporations have replaced mafia control of the city. Casino is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Las Vegas.

Under the shiny veneer of flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are engineered to slowly bleed their patrons of their hard-earned cash. They use technology to do it, too: video cameras monitor the action; betting chips are designed with microcircuitry that interconnects with electronic systems that can oversee the exact amounts wagered minute-by-minute and alert the casino if there is an anomaly; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviation from expected results.

It’s no wonder casinos have a house edge. Even the best bettors will lose money over time, as casinos accept all bets and have a mathematical expectancy that they will win more than they lose. This virtual assurance of gross profit allows them to offer big bettors extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment, limousine transportation, hotel rooms, and meals, and to skim a small percentage from the money of lesser bettors through tips and friendly ups and downs.

As Casino demonstrates, there are no good guys in Vegas—or at least none that Scorsese shows us. The movie abounds with violence, treachery, and greed. But there is also a sense of tragedy in watching these characters get their comeuppance. It’s especially true for Sharon Stone’s character, Ginger, a smart hustler who can keep up with the men she seduces.