Casino is the only movie I know of that truly captures the zeitgeist of Las Vegas in all its seedy gangster glory. Its many plot lines and sprawling cast of characters ranging from the Chicago mob to the Teamsters union to politicians are woven together with masterful storytelling that makes it a lean, mean thriller that doesn’t lag or run out of steam by the end. It also doesn’t shy away from depicting the opulence and neon signs that make up the gambling pavilions and shows.
It’s a fun movie. I’m not a big fan of gambling myself (or video poker, for that matter) because it is an irrational activity that ignores the crushing mathematical reality and goes all-in on random luck and hunches. However, casinos are still a lot of fun and you can get free drinks while you’re there. Just be sure to start with a fixed amount of money you’re willing to lose and don’t play if you can’t afford it.
Another fun fact is that local governments receive a good chunk of their tax revenue from casinos. This allows them to spend more on essential services and avoid increasing taxes elsewhere. This is one of the reasons that some politicians are more open to supporting legalized gambling than others.