When it came out in 1995, Casino was a huge hit, both for its bravura set pieces and for its brand of moviemaking excitement. But the film also had a serious edge, as its characters were forced to grapple with institutional systems of grift. The movie has a number of jarring scenes, including the torture of De Niro’s character by a car bomb and the death by overdose of Stone’s. But the violence is not used for shock value or style; it is part of the reality of casinos.

Today, casinos often offer more than just gaming and entertainment options. They may have luxurious hotels, cutting-edge technology, flexible event and meeting spaces, and delicious restaurants. Casino marketers must consider the full array of offerings when promoting their brands to attract different types of guests.

Despite their flashing lights and free drinks, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics engineered to slowly bleed their patrons of money. The odds of winning or losing on any given game are the same, regardless of skill level. But the gambling world has long attracted a cadre of mathematicians and physicists who have tried to use their knowledge of probability theory and game theory to beat the system.

Many of these people have been successful at reducing their losses and sometimes even earning profits. Casinos can leverage these strategies to increase their profitability. However, casinos must be aware that these tactics are constantly changing and evolving as new technologies enter the market.