At its core, casinos are businesses that offer a mix of gambling and entertainment. They provide their patrons with a unique, memorable experience that will likely leave them wanting more. But many casino owners have difficulty attracting and maintaining their audiences, often because they overlook the basic marketing principles that all successful businesses are built upon.

In Casino, Martin Scorsese has brought to life an epic story of greed and corruption. It’s a fascinating look at the mafia that tainted Vegas for decades, with tendrils reaching into politicians, Teamsters unions and the Chicago mob. The movie is also one of the most compelling character portraits to ever grace a screen, with Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone both delivering captivating performances.

The film also highlights the pitfalls of gambling, with many people falling prey to the temptations of the games. They’re drawn in by the allure of money, and they spend their time in a trance-like state where they don’t have to think about their problems. They’re able to feel a rush when the reels spin in their favor, but they’re also compelled by near misses and other features designed to increase the appearance of wins.

Casinos need to appeal to their audiences in ways that go beyond their gaming floor offerings. For example, they need to advertise their hotel amenities, event space and other unique features that attract group business. They should also invest in location-based strategies to target audience members when they’re close by and have high intent to take action.