The best casinos in the world are filled with a palpable sense of excitement. From the sound of coins clinking in slot machines to the buzz of people socializing and trying their luck at table games, it’s hard not to get drawn into the energy. Of course, there are the occasional tuts and murmurs when things don’t quite go one’s way, but on the whole, casino goers are a happy bunch.

The atmosphere is a mix of flashy decor, upbeat music and the glitz of big wins. While there is some truth to the idea that luck does play a large part in winning, most gamblers have a strategy in place. These strategies can include counting cards, observing the rhythm of the game and more. This is a great way to maximise your chances of winning, and it’s definitely something that should be considered by anyone who wants to try their hand at casino games online.

There is no room for good guys in a movie like Casino, which focuses on greed and corruption. But Sharon Stone’s performance as Ginger is a real standout. Building on her star turn in Basic Instinct, she exults in her ability to seduce and control men – “a smart hustler like her can keep a guy awake for two or three days” – and is a perpetual motion machine.

Casino is a masterful work from director Martin Scorsese, and a powerful portrayal of the dark side of gambling in Las Vegas. While most movies about the city focus on its glitz, glamor and weekend getaways, this film digs deeper to expose an intricate web of mob ties that stretched far beyond the confines of the Strip, with tendrils reaching into politics, Teamsters unions and Midwest mafia.