Beneath the veneer of flashing lights and free cocktails casinos are built on a foundation of mathematics, engineered to slowly bleed patrons of their hard-earned cash. For years mathematically inclined minds have tried to turn this house edge to their advantage by using probability and game theory. Unfortunately, they’ve been thwarted by the fact that math rarely lies. There is a basic statistical probability against winning each time you play a casino game.
Casinos also rely on psychology to get people to gamble. Studies have shown that if the casino plays music with a low tempo, players are more likely to make larger bets. Also, the scent of a particular perfume can help mask unpleasant odors and encourage gambling. Some casinos even offer flavored chips and drinks to encourage customers to spend more.
Although the movie is about a mobster, Scorsese doesn’t shy away from using violence to convey the story of the crime family’s rise and fall. Whether it’s De Niro’s attempted murder with a car bomb, Joe Pesci’s death by overdose, or the gruesome mutilation of Stone’s character, the violence in this three-hour epic is disturbing, but it’s accurate. This isn’t a movie about style and glamour, it’s a brutal retelling of real events that happened in Vegas.
