Casino

Sam "Ace" Rothstein is appointed to manage the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas by mob families from the Midwest. He quickly adapts to the lax gaming regulations and effectively doubles the casino's profits, setting the stage for his operations.

To support Sam's casino operations, the mob sends his childhood friend, Nicholas "Nicky" Santoro, to act as an enforcer. Nicky, along with his crew, initially seems like an asset to Sam, providing protection while enforcing order within the casino.

Nicky's volatile nature soon transforms him from an asset into a liability. As he engages in unauthorized shakedowns and burglaries, his aggressive tactics begin to attract unwanted attention, complicating Sam's already fragile control over the casino.

Sam meets Ginger McKenna, a beautiful hustler, and becomes infatuated with her. Despite her initial reservations about commitment, they eventually marry and have a daughter named Amy, marking a significant turning point in Sam's personal life.

Sam discovers that Ginger is giving money to her ex-lover, Lester Diamond. This betrayal intensifies the conflict between them and results in further complications with local government officials, particularly Clark County Commissioner Pat Webb.

In response to the challenges from Commissioner Webb, Sam publicly accuses local officials of corruption on television. This bold move only alienates him from the mob bosses, who pressure him to reconsider his tactics amidst concerns for their shared interests.

Tensions between Sam and Nicky escalate, leading to a confrontational showdown in the desert. Sam blames Nicky for the trouble they face, hinting at deeper conflicts brewing within their partnership as loyalty falters.

As Sam's casino operations face mounting pressure, Ginger's behavior spirals out of control due to substance abuse. Her rekindled ties with Nicky further complicate matters as they scheme to gain control over their intertwined fortunes.

With the mob's grip on the casino weakening, law enforcement ramps up their investigation into Sam's illicit activities. The weight of impending doom looms over Sam and Ginger as the collapse of their empire becomes increasingly apparent.

Ginger ultimately succumbs to a drug overdose amidst the chaos, marking a devastating personal loss for Sam. In a ruthless twist, the mob also moves to eliminate anyone who might testify against them, sealing the fate of their criminal operations.

As law enforcement tightens its noose around the mob, Nicky meets a violent fate at the hands of his former allies, leaving Sam to grapple with the fallout. This event underscores the treacherous landscape of their criminal world.

Following the downfall of the mob, the vibrant atmosphere of Las Vegas morphs into a soulless landscape dominated by corporate interests. The charm of the old-school gaming culture is lost, replaced by facilities focused solely on profit.

In a poignant closing narrative, an older Sam finds himself back in San Diego, revisiting his roots as a sports handicapper. He reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the emotional scars left after losing everything he built.