A casino is a place where the sounds of slot machines ring and champagne glasses clink. It’s a place where people gather to try their hand at gambling with friends and strangers. But behind the opulence and neon signs, casinos stand on a bedrock of mathematics that’s designed to slowly bleed patrons of their cash. It’s an industry that has been studied and dissected by physicists who see how to beat the odds.

The most common way for a casino to make money is by charging a commission on every bet made. Usually, the bigger the bet, the higher the commission, which is known as the rake. Other ways for a casino to earn money include putting on shows and other events, and selling merchandise. Ideally, a casino should have well-known games from the world’s best software developers like NetEnt and Amatic as well as a good mix of live leader content, and fresh, innovative game titles from lesser-known providers.

Unlike many other movies about Vegas, Casino takes a close look at the underbelly of the city and its mob roots. It also reveals the ways that casinos manipulate patrons with lights, sounds, and design elements that make it hard to step away from the tables and slots. It’s a long movie at almost three hours, but it never lags or runs out of steam thanks to Martin Scorsese’s masterful editing. It’s also anchored by a remarkable performance from Robert De Niro as a mafia don who refuses to help the FBI.