Casino (Robert DeNiro) | How To Make A Lot Of Money | Extended Preview

Summary

The transcript recounts the rise of Ace Rothstein, a master gambler who transitions from a skilled handicapper to running one of Las Vegas' biggest casinos, the Tangiers. With meticulous precision, Ace navigates the high-stakes world of casino operations, managing vast amounts of money while skimming off the top unnoticed. The narrative highlights the interplay of power, money, and influence in Vegas, including the role of the Teamsters and organized crime in financing and controlling the industry. Amid bright lights, luxury, and temptation, Ace experiences both the allure and peril of legitimacy, offering a vivid glimpse into the secretive, morally complex world behind the casino doors.

Takeaways

• 🎰 Ace Rothstein was an exceptionally skilled handicapper whose betting could influence odds nationwide.
• 🏢 He was given the opportunity to run one of Las Vegas's largest casinos, the Tangiers, by powerful figures.
• 💰 Las Vegas offered immense wealth through casino operations, with millions of dollars flowing in from gamblers every year.
• 🌵 The city’s desert surroundings were often used to discreetly handle problems and illegal activities.
• 👀 Inside the casino, skimming and other illicit activities were routine, often unnoticed by management or authorities.
• 📦 Money from the casino was carefully transported to Kansas City for the Midwest bosses without attracting attention.
• 🕴️ The Teamsters Union controlled access to funding for casino purchases, making them a key power player in Las Vegas.
• 💵 Loans from the Teamsters pension fund were issued under strict orders from powerful bosses, not the official board members.
• 🎩 Ace served as a legitimate front man, unaware of the full extent of the manipulations behind the casino operations.
• 🤑 The culture of Las Vegas allowed criminals to operate under the guise of legitimacy while profiting massively from players’ losses.
• 🏗️ The management system in Vegas allowed for the accumulation and control of vast amounts of cash, with specific roles ensuring smooth skimming and secrecy.

Q & A

Who is the main figure discussed in the transcript?

The main figure discussed is Ace Rothstein, a highly skilled handicapper and casino manager in Las Vegas.

What made Ace Rothstein exceptional as a handicapper?

Ace was so skilled that he could consistently change the betting odds for every bookmaker in the country, demonstrating a deep mastery of gambling.

What opportunity was Ace Rothstein given in Las Vegas?

He was given one of the largest casinos, the Tangiers, to run, an opportunity usually reserved for highly trusted individuals in organized crime.

Who were some of the key people Ace worked with in the casino?

Ace worked with Nikki Santoro, his close friend, and Ginger, the woman Rothstein loved. He also hired an old casino associate, Billy Sherbert, as his manager.

What does the transcript suggest about Las Vegas during that time?

Las Vegas was depicted as a place where millions of visitors spent billions of dollars, but the city itself enabled organized crime figures like Ace to operate with legitimacy while profiting immensely.

What is described as the 'holy of holies' in the casino?

The count room is described as the 'holy of holies,' where all the casino's money was collected, counted, and safeguarded.

How did casino insiders skim money without getting caught?

Insiders would manipulate counts, lose fill slips, or even take cash directly from drop boxes. They relied on distractions and routines that ensured nobody noticed their actions.

What role did Kansas City play in the operations described?

Kansas City served as a meeting point for Midwest bosses to collect suitcases of skimmed cash from Las Vegas without attracting law enforcement attention.

Who controlled the Teamsters Union and why was it important?

A small group of powerful men, including Andy Stone and Remo GGI, controlled the Teamsters Union. Their control was crucial because loans from the union’s pension fund were necessary to buy and operate casinos in Las Vegas.

How was Ace Rothstein positioned as a front man in the casino operations?

Ace served as the legitimate face of the casino, appearing smart and in control, while the real power and financial backing came from organized crime and Teamsters Union figures.

What does the transcript suggest about morality and crime in Las Vegas?

It suggests that Las Vegas served as a 'morality car wash' for criminals, allowing them to appear legitimate while engaging in large-scale illegal activities and profiting massively.

Who ultimately gave the loan for the Tangiers casino, and how was it structured?

The loan was technically given by Andy Stone on behalf of the Teamsters pension fund, but it was done under orders from organized crime bosses, not the board or Philip Green, the nominal recipient.