There’s something inherently luxurious about walking into a casino, with its sweet aroma, bright lights and the anticipation of winning. And there’s a reason casinos are so attractive: they’re designed to play on the weakest aspects of human psychology to keep you in their building and playing as long as possible. But what you may not know is that those methods of keeping you glued to the slot machine or cards table run much deeper than free drinks and comps.
People at a casino are a diverse group. There’s the regulars who strut around with confidence expecting to win big, and those desperately trying to win back what they lost in their last round. But despite their different goals, everyone shares one thing in common – they’re there to have fun. With music blaring and coins clinking, it’s easy to get carried away in the excitement.
But the underbelly of a casino isn’t so pleasant. It’s filled with treachery, avarice and violence. Scorsese doesn’t shy away from showing us the seedy side of Vegas, which is what makes Casino so compelling. De Niro’s performance as Sam Rothstein is unrivaled, but it’s Sharon Stone who steals the show. She delivers a powerhouse performance that builds on and inverts her star-making turn as Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct.
In many communities, legalized gambling brings in huge tax revenues. These funds can fund essential community services or even avoid budget cuts. In addition to generating revenue, casinos provide jobs and attract tourists from across the country. To tap into this potential, casinos must focus on marketing strategies that are proven to work.
