Gambling in all its forms has been a part of human civilization for millennia. The earliest evidence comes from 2300 BC in China, dice first showed up in Rome around 500 AD and playing cards appeared in the 1400s. It wasn’t until the 1800s, however, that gambling really took off as a serious form of entertainment and became the major industry it is today.

Casino tells the story of how organized crime helped turn Las Vegas into an enormous gambling empire, and it’s one of the most compelling and riveting movies ever made. It’s also one of Martin Scorsese’s longest movies, yet it never lags in the middle or runs out of steam by the end.

Because casinos offer games of chance, there’s almost always a mathematical edge for the house, even in those with an element of skill. In games where players compete against the house, like blackjack, video poker and baccarat, the house earns money by taking a commission, known as the “rake”.

Many people visit casinos to escape from the real world and get lost in the flashing lights and high ceilings. They want to lose track of time and not think about their problems, which are probably much bigger than a lost wager. They might stay for hours at a slot machine, trapped in a trance and not feeling the pain of life’s troubles. Casinos are often designed with labyrinthine layouts, opulent decor and nonstop booze to lower inhibitions and make people forget their problems.