Casino is in many ways Martin Scorsese dialing Goodfellas up to 11. It’s an epic history lesson about Vegas, about how the mob lost control of a desert city minting billions from gambling corporations.

The movie isn’t without its violence. Scenes involving torture with a vice, the attempted murder of De Niro by a car bomb, and the death of Joe Pesci (buried alive in a cornfield) are shocking, but they’re not over the top for the sake of shock value. They are faithful portrayals of what really happened to these real-life characters.

It’s easy to get swept up in the atmosphere of a twinkly, noisy casino. You walk in with a wallet full of cash and plans for some enjoyable, sensible gaming and maybe two rounds of drinks. Hours later, you don’t know what time it is or how much money you spent. It’s happened to all of us.

Gambling can be a fun and addictive pastime, but it’s also a risky way to spend your hard-earned money. There are several things you should keep in mind to stay safe and avoid wasting your money.