Casino is a movie that combines the thrills of an epic crime drama with the glamour and spectacle of a lavish Las Vegas show. While the film does skew towards the violent, its subtext is one of despair over what has become of Vegas. Like Boogie Nights a few years later, Scorsese’s homage to the gangster genre paints a picture of a hellscape that looks like Disneyland.
Casinos are flashy, fun places where people go to try their luck at games of chance. They usually feature extravagant decor, upbeat music, and plenty of places to eat and drink. Although many gamblers are there to win big, it is just as common for people to come and socialize with friends while trying their hand at a variety of different table games from poker to blackjack. There is an incredible energy in a casino that is hard to replicate anywhere else.
The history of casinos is as illustrious as the game itself, with primitive protodice found at archaeological sites and even carved six-sided dice from ancient times [Source: Schwartz]. However, casinos as a place to gamble in a variety of ways did not become popular until the 16th century when a gambling craze swept Europe. Italian nobles would gather at their own private clubs called ridotti to gamble and enjoy each other’s company.
In addition to the gaming floor, many casinos offer event and group business spaces, luxurious hotel amenities, cutting-edge technology, spa and wellness offerings, and award-winning restaurants. Marketing efforts should target millennial and Gen Z audiences by highlighting these perks in online marketing.