Casino is a complex, multilayered, opulent and beautifully directed film. It is not as entertaining as a movie like Goodfellas, but it still delivers an epic story of corruption, greed and destruction. It also showcases the great acting skills of Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro.

The movie is based on the true story of the mob faction that ran Las Vegas casinos in the 1960s and 1970s. It tells the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert DeNiro) who is the bookie for one of the top Vegas casinos. He is a smart man who knows how to beat the house and make money. He also has a loose-cannon sidekick named Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci). The two run into many problems as they try to manage the Tangiers Casino and their personal lives.

While the movie does not focus as much on the Mafia as movies like Goodfellas, it shows the corruption that existed in Vegas at the time. The movie lays out the web that encompassed many different mob groups, politicians, the Teamsters union and even a Midwest mafia group from Kansas City.

No other movie has done as good of a job showing the history of Las Vegas and its past ties with organized crime. It also showcases the opulence, neon signs and gamblers having fun at cards and slot machines. It is also an excellent movie to show newcomers to Las Vegas that it is not just a place for parties and weekend getaways.