Gambling has been an integral part of many cultures throughout the world for centuries. From ancient Mesopotamia and Rome to Napoleon’s France and Elizabethan England, casino games have always been a popular source of entertainment and relaxation. Many people turn to casinos for a break from everyday stresses and to add excitement to their celebrations. But did you know that gambling can actually be beneficial for your mental and physical health?
Martin Scorsese’s Casino is about much more than the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. It lays bare an insidious web of corruption that existed at the heart of Vegas culture with tendrils reaching out to politicians, Teamsters union leaders and even mob elders back east. The film is loosely based on the book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay with director Martin Scorsese.
While the movie is violent, it is not gratuitous and is used to bolster a story that is based on true events. The scenes with Sam’s torture with a vice, his near-fatal car bombing and the death of Joe Pesci are not for style or shock value but were all true to these real life mob figures.
Although gambling does provide a sense of escapism, it is important to remember that there are far better and healthier ways to achieve this. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, meditating or practicing mindfulness, spending time with friends and family and other activities that cultivate mental and emotional wellbeing are all proven to improve mood and cognitive function.
