With lights blazing, the sounds of coins clinking and music pounding, casinos are designed to provide a manufactured sense of blissful excitement. It’s a feeling that can make even the most jaded person take a step back and marvel.

Casino is a film about the world of gambling, and like most movies set in Sin City, it’s not all glamour and glitz. It’s also a story about loyalty and the thorny relationships that can form between mobster allies. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are at their best in this movie, which is a perfect companion piece to Goodfellas.

Gamblers who enter a casino are usually greeted by a host or greeter, and after they swipe their card at the slot machines, computers tally up their purchases and track their patterns of behavior. These statistics are used to create patron databases that can be targeted for direct marketing. Casinos also offer frequent-flyer programs that reward loyal customers with free meals, drinks and shows or coupons for additional gambling.

In addition to dazzling lighting and a soundtrack of celebratory noises, many casinos feature scented oils that waft through the ventilation system to make patrons feel welcome and comfortable. They may even have restaurants that serve a variety of different cuisines. Adding these luxuries and amenities helps to draw in gamblers and increase revenue. But even without these extras, a casino can still be a fun and exciting place to visit.