Casino is a classic Martin Scorsese movie about corruption and greed. The film features excellent performances from De Niro and Sharon Stone as two hustlers mired in violence, treachery, and avarice. The screenplay, written by Nicholas Pileggi and directed by Scorsese, is both gripping and enthralling. The movie is also a warning about the dangers of gambling addiction.

Gambling addiction can be devastating, and casinos are notorious for their ability to suck people in and keep them spending money. The way they do it is by using lights, sounds, and physical design to create a hypnotic environment that’s hard to step away from. But how do they make otherwise rational people throw hundreds of dollars away based on the roll of a dice, spin of a wheel, or pull of a card?

To encourage players to gamble for longer, casinos offer loyalty programs that reward frequent gamblers with free meals, drinks, hotel rooms, or access to events and VIP lounges. This makes players feel valued, which keeps them playing. Also, casinos serve a lot of complimentary drinks, because being inebriated lowers inhibitions and clouds judgment. And it’s a great way for them to profit from tipsy patrons losing their money at the tables and slots.