Unlike other Vegas movies that portray Las Vegas as a town of opulence and weekend getaways, Casino digs deep into the history of organized crime in Sin City. The movie is based on the investigative non-fiction book of the same name and lays out a complex web of corruption that connected politicians, Teamsters unions, mob families in Chicago, and Midwest mafia members to casinos in Las Vegas.

Beneath the veneer of flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are engineered to slowly bleed patrons of their cash. In games where skill is involved, the house edge can be lowered by applying knowledge of math and game theory to beat the system. For years, mathematically inclined physicists have tried to turn the tables on casino operators by using their understanding of probability to exploit weaknesses in a rigged system.

When someone wins at a casino, cheers erupt. This commotion creates a false sense of possibility that keeps other players bleeding chips. Casinos also make it difficult to leave, even to satisfy basic needs like using the bathroom or grabbing a bite to eat. Free meals and hotel stays are offered to players who spend enough money, stifling any desire to abandon the tables.

There are a lot of online casinos out there, but not all of them are created equal. To avoid getting ripped off or losing your hard-earned cash, always choose a licensed casino that prioritises transparency and top-notch security. Look for a site that displays its ownership information, T&Cs and regulations clearly on its homepage. You should be able to trust a casino that follows these standards, as they will have to comply with them in order to maintain their licences.