Casino is a film that explores the roots of Las Vegas as a gambling hub and lays bare the city’s past ties with organized crime. While other movies only show the glamorous side of the city with opulence, neon signs, and gamblers having fun at cards and slots, Casino dives deep into Vegas’ dark underbelly and is a taut thriller from start to finish. At almost three hours, it is one of Martin Scorsese’s longest movies yet never lags or runs out of steam.

The film starts with a high-octane opening sequence that involves a car bomb, and carries a heavy dose of violence throughout. The scenes involving the torture of de Niro’s character and the murders of Stone, Joe Pesci and others are intense, but not overly gratuitous. They are based on true events and Scorsese does not use the violence for style or shock value, but rather faithfully portrays what really happened.

Gambling has been part of human civilization for millennia, with the first evidence dating back to 2300 BC. However, only recently has it become a big business and has gained public acceptance. Today, more than 85 percent of Americans view it as perfectly acceptable.

The best casinos feature top-notch hotels, spas and restaurants, as well as a wide range of games and entertainment. They also offer fast, reliable payouts and excellent customer support. A good casino also promotes responsible gambling by offering features like deposit limits, self-exclusion tools and reality checks.