When it comes to casino gambling, there is no shortage of places to try your luck. From famous venues like the Bellagio to swanky local spots, here are some of the most popular casinos around the world.

After Goodfellas burst into the mainstream, Universal signed Martin Scorsese to direct Casino, a drama of mafia machinations that would star Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci (completing a trilogy started in Raging Bull). Despite its unabashedly cynical view of crime and corruption, this movie is more effective than its similarly themed predecessor.

Casino has no heroes, as its main characters are mired in treachery and avarice. But its evisceration of the sleaze inherent in casinos still resonates today, even with the advent of sanitized crime dramas like Boogie Nights.

While there is no denying that casinos make money, it’s also no secret that they have a built-in advantage over the bettors who play them. This edge can be lower than two percent, but it adds up over the millions of bets placed. It’s enough to fund dazzling hotels, colossal fountains, and towering pyramids and replicas of landmarks around the globe.

When players walk into a casino, they’re greeted with flashing lights and blaring sounds that are designed to keep them playing. When someone wins on a slot machine, cheers arise; this gives other players the false impression they can win too, making them keep betting. In addition to a variety of games, casinos offer perks like free meals and hotel stays to entice customers to spend more money.