Casino examines the corrosive relationships and societal implications of institutional systems of grift. Its bravura set pieces (from a car bomb to a torture-by-vice sequence that had to be trimmed to avoid an NC-17 rating) are more than just showmanship; they’re carefully calibrated to make the film feel real and plausible.

The movie’s most important contribution to gaming culture comes from its forensic analysis of the psychological tactics used to manipulate gamblers. From the glowing slots to autoplay loops and precision-engineered digital promos, physical and online casinos rely on science, not luck, to keep players spinning, clicking, and betting. It’s not an accident that casinos lack windows and clocks; they’re designed to obscure the passage of time, keeping players tangled in their machines longer. And that jingle you hear when you’re winning? It’s not just a soundtrack; it’s an audio cue that reinforces the feeling of victory, making you want to spin your money just one more time.

Although Casino is over three hours long, the film never lags or runs out of steam. Martin Scorsese uses a mix of directing styles to keep the viewer engaged, from his trademark use of rapid-fire narration to fast-cut documentarian footage and a pulsing musical score. He also allows the camera to explore the inner workings of the gambling industry, from the high-stakes games to the cashiers’ rigged balancing acts.