Casino, the blockbuster movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, portrays a world of corruption in which mobster money, political ties, Teamsters unions and Midwest mafia families all collide in the glittering lights of Las Vegas. The movie is a drama about the gambling industry that’s not only entertaining but also educational. Casinos have evolved into an elaborate indoor amusement park for adults with the bulk of their profits coming from games of chance, such as slots, keno, blackjack and roulette.
Regardless of the game, there is one thing that’s certain: The house will always win. All casinos have built-in advantages that ensure, mathematically, they will make a gross profit on all bets placed by patrons. These odds are known as the house edge.
While some casino games have an element of skill, such as baccarat and poker, most games are pure chance. In the modern era, casinos have shrewdly concentrated their investments on high-rollers, offering them free spectacular entertainment, limousine transportation and elegant living quarters to lure them into the gaming room.
Most people who gamble in a casino aren’t high rollers. In fact, a 2005 study by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel found that the average casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old female from a family with above-average income. Moreover, the research showed that gambling has negative effects on children and family stability. The study also showed that gambling hurts property values in the area where it is located.