Whether you’re a high roller looking for an adrenaline rush or just a tourist wanting to experience the luxurious side of Sin City, world-class casinos have something for everyone. Often with beautiful designs and opulent surroundings, casinos create a unique atmosphere that lures players in and keeps them playing. But what exactly is it that makes people spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on the roll of a dice or spin of a wheel? How does the house always win?

The answer lies in the way casinos are designed. They are labyrinthine, with curving paths that lead to enticing gaming areas and away from restrooms and exits. They are typically lit the same during day and night, so that players can’t tell what time it is without consulting their watches or phones. And of course, they serve alcohol, which reduces inhibitions and clouds judgment.

Casino focuses on Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American gambling expert handicapper recruited by Chicago mob boss Remo Gaggi to oversee the Tangiers casino’s day-to-day operations in Las Vegas. He soon hires his streetwise chip hustler girlfriend Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone) and mobster and friend Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci). The movie details the business, personal, and relationship struggles these characters and their associates face over three decades as Las Vegas evolves.

While many movies have been made about organized crime and the mafia, few have captured the essence of this era like Casino. The film lays bare the intricate web of corruption that existed centered in Vegas, with tendrils reaching out to politicians, local unions, and the Chicago mafia.