A casino is a place where gamblers press their luck on games of chance. The opulent decor of these gambling halls creates an ambience that exudes luxury and grandeur, making it feel as if you’ve entered another world when you step through the doors. Many casinos also feature top-tier restaurants and chefs, providing a luxurious experience for patrons who want to enjoy culinary delights during their visit.

The gambling business is a very competitive one. It’s not uncommon for casinos to lose money hand over fist, and they are always trying to figure out ways to keep people betting. Booze is a great way to lower inhibitions and cloud judgment, so you’ll find bars and drink servers constantly coming around. The jukeboxes blast out music and the slot machines spin, creating a constant soundtrack that can keep you in the mood to lose money.

Most games of chance—and even some that require a small amount of skill—have mathematically determined odds that give the house an advantage. Those odds, which are uniformly negative for players, are known as the house edge. The house also takes a commission on games like poker that involve player-versus-player, a fee called the rake.

Martin Scorsese dialed up the gangster atmosphere in his 1972 film Casino to 11. This movie may not be as good as his classic Goodfellas, but it is still a must-see for fans of mob movies and those who are curious about how fucked up that lifestyle is.