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Casino (film)

Casino is a 1995 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the nonfiction book by Nicholas Pileggi and Scorsese.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Casino is a 1995 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the nonfiction book by Nicholas Pileggi and Scorsese. Set in Las Vegas, it follows a casino executive, his mob-linked associates, and the collapse of their business and personal lives. The film stars Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci.

Plot

The film follows Sam Rothstein as he manages the Tangiers Casino for the Chicago Outfit in Las Vegas. As organized crime, corruption, and personal conflicts intensify, the operation and the characters’ lives unravel.

Production

Casino was directed by Martin Scorsese and adapted from Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction book, which also informed the screenplay. The film continues Scorsese’s interest in organized crime and American corruption.

Cast

The principal cast includes Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. The film also features James Woods in a supporting role as Lester Diamond.

Reception

The film received significant attention on release and performed strongly at the box office, with reports placing its worldwide gross at about US$115 million. Sharon Stone’s performance was especially recognised with an Oscar nomination.

Key facts

  • The film is based on a true story and on Nicholas Pileggi’s book about Las Vegas casino operations linked to organized crime.
  • Robert De Niro plays Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a gambling expert sent to manage the Tangiers Casino.
  • Joe Pesci plays Nicky Santoro, and Sharon Stone plays Ginger McKenna.
  • The story traces the rise and decline of the casino operation and the deterioration of the main characters’ relationships.
  • Sharon Stone received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance.
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Canadian context

Casino is widely known in Canada as a major Martin Scorsese crime film and is part of the broader North American film canon studied and screened by Canadian film audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Casino about?
It is about a Las Vegas casino manager working for organised crime and the breakdown of his business and personal life.
Who directed Casino?
Martin Scorsese directed the film.
Is Casino based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction book about real Las Vegas mob-linked casino operations.
Who stars in Casino?
The main cast includes Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci.
When was Casino released?
It was released in the United States on November 22, 1995.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casino_(1995_film)
    Supports: Plot, cast, setting, and general film description.
  2. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/casino-1995
    Supports: Film basis on Nicholas Pileggi’s book and thematic context.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/casino-review-martin-scorsese-1995-movie-1236432098/
    Supports: Release date, cast, box office, and award nomination.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1067987-casino
    Supports: Synopsis, release date, runtime, genre, and cast.
  5. The Ringer — https://www.theringer.com/movies/2020/11/19/21574457/casino-25th-anniversary-retrospective
    Supports: Background on the film as a fact-based Scorsese crime epic and its release positioning.