Rosenthal and Spilotro were portrayed as Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro by Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, respectively. However the book was released the month before the film came out. Although Pileggi had already written the book and wanted it published in advance of the film version, Scorsese tried to persuade him to forgo the usual chronology and to release the book after the film. The screenplay for Casino was by Pileggi and Scorsese. The book is the basis for the Academy Award-nominated 1995 film Casino directed by Martin Scorsese. Kirkus Reviews called the book 'riveting,' writing that 'Pileggi offers a blow-by-blow account of how organized crime looted the casinos they controlled as silent but deadly partners during the 1970s.' Film version Rosenthal supervises the casino operations, while Spilotro provides protection, security and also masterminds jewelry raids that lead to his crew being nicknamed the Hole in the Wall Gang. Pileggi focuses on the story of Frank 'Lefty' Rosenthal, a Chicago bookmaker working for organized crime, and his friend, partner and also Mafia member, Anthony Spilotro.

It's a bitter irony that without breaking the law they never would have gotten control of Vegas, but their constant law-breaking is also what eventually gets them thrown out.Print ( hardcover & paperback), eBook, audio cassette, audio CD, Audible Audio Edition, Amazon KindleĬasino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas ( ISBN 0684808323) is a 1995 non-fiction book by crime reporter Nicholas Pileggi that depicts the story of the alliance of Mafia mobsters Lefty Rosenthal and Tony Spilotro and their exploits working in Mafia controlled casinos in Las Vegas.Ĭasino covers the period during the 1970s and early 1980s when the Mafia controlled certain Las Vegas casinos. Just as the mob was able to move into Vegas and quickly establish a residency through illegal means, they were also forced out just as quickly over the same illegalities. Green ends up turning state's witness and reveals everything about the mob's role in extortion and fraud. The FBI finds out about the mob's scheme through an unrelated wiretap on Artie Piscano, which eventually reveals the faulty foundation of the entire Tangiers casino.

However, the mob is never able to overcome the illegal foundation of the casino in their quest to keep control. However, Rothstein can't get a casino license due to his criminal history and associations, so he and Stone devise a scheme to stop his license application from ever being officially processed - allowing him to manage the casino as it is not rejected. The plan is predicated on another mob associate Sam 'Ace' Rothstein managing the Tangiers operations.

1995 movie casino