Whether they’re a regular at the tables or simply a passerby, casino customers make decisions based on how the place makes them feel. This is why casinos must double down on their efforts to make their guests feel welcome and at home. From the lighting to the design of the space, the best casinos understand how to shape the environment to boost their business.

While most movies about Las Vegas show only the opulent side of Sin City, Martin Scorsese’s 1995 classic Casino reveals more about the gambling mecca. The movie tells a story of how mobster families lost control over a once-mighty gambling empire and how modern corporate interests took over the city. The movie also lays bare the underlying corruption that is woven into the fabric of the city and its past.

Casino is a riveting mob drama that focuses on three main characters and the larger story that unfolds around them. It shows how the mafia was unable to keep its grip on a city that had been minting money in the billions and how huge gambling corporations became a dominant force in the desert town. It also highlights the many ways in which crooks and gamblers try to cheat the system.

Despite the bad reputation of gambling, casinos do provide some social and economic benefits to the communities they serve. These include a boost to local tax revenues, which can help governments fund needed community services and avoid spending cuts in other areas. They also create jobs, which can reduce unemployment rates in surrounding neighborhoods. They also bring in visitors from outside the area, which increases tourism and can help boost local housing prices.

For casinos, understanding the demographics of their audience is crucial for maximizing profits and marketing effectiveness. Various studies have shown that different generations of casino patrons spend their money differently. For example, baby boomers and Gen Xers may spend 80% of their casino dollars on gaming while Millennials and Gen Zers will likely spend 30% on gaming and 70% on food, entertainment, and non-gaming amenities. This information can be used to improve gaming offerings and enhance marketing strategies, such as by incorporating online components into floor games, focusing on the use of social media in marketing, and providing elevated food and entertainment options.

The film also demonstrates how casinos attempt to maximize profit through comps, or free goods and services, for loyal customers. These perks include meals, hotel rooms, shows, and even airline tickets for big-spending players. While these bonuses can help casino profits, they can also damage the customer experience. In addition, they can cause customers to lose track of how much time they’re spending on the gaming floor.

Although it’s not quite as iconic as Goodfellas or Ocean’s 11, Casino is a great movie about the history of Vegas and its ties to organized crime. It combines the thrills and glamor of the era with a raw, gritty look that sets it apart from other Vegas movies. It is also the movie that made Sharon Stone a superstar. She sparkles in the role as Ginger, a sexy, smart hustler who can’t seem to keep her hands off the man in charge.