Based on Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal. His role managing Chicago mob-controlled casinos (Stardust, Fremont, Hacienda, Marina - represented by the Tangiers), expertise, and key life events (licensing issues, car bombing) are accurately portrayed.

Based on Anthony "The Ant" Spilotro. His role as the Chicago Outfit's muscle in Vegas, extreme violence (including head-in-vice incident inspiration), independent crew, and eventual murder are accurately based on Spilotro.

Based on Geri McGee Rosenthal. Her background, tumultuous marriage to Ace/Lefty, affair with Nicky/Tony, substance abuse, and eventual overdose death are accurately depicted based on Geri's life.

Based on Lenny Marmor, Geri McGee's former boyfriend and associate. His parasitic relationship with Ginger/Geri is historically accurate.

Based on Allen Glick, the businessman who fronted the Argent Corporation, which owned the casinos Rosenthal managed for the mob, using Teamsters loans.

Based on Murray Ehrenberg, Rosenthal's trusted assistant manager at the Stardust.

Accurately depicts the period when organized crime families, particularly from the Midwest, controlled several major Las Vegas casinos through frontmen and Teamsters loans.

The film accurately portrays the mechanics and scale of the mob skimming untaxed cash directly from casino count rooms, a major source of illicit profit that was eventually exposed by the FBI.

Rosenthal did oversee operations at the Stardust, Fremont, Hacienda, and Marina for the Chicago Outfit (condensed to the Tangiers in the film).

Spilotro was sent to protect mob interests but became infamous for his own violent crew (the Hole in the Wall Gang) and criminal activities, increasing law enforcement scrutiny.

Rosenthal faced significant hurdles and was ultimately denied a gaming license due to his background, forcing him to operate under other titles.

Geri McGee Rosenthal did have an affair with Anthony Spilotro, contributing to the breakdown of her marriage and tensions within the Outfit's Vegas operation.

The FBI's investigation, including crucial evidence gathered from wiretaps (particularly those involving Carl DeLuna/"Artie Piscano"), was key to dismantling the skimming operation.

Rosenthal survived a real car bombing outside a restaurant; a metal plate under the driver's seat is credited with saving his life, just as depicted.

Anthony and Michael Spilotro were brutally beaten and buried alive in 1986 on the orders of mob bosses displeased with their activities. The film depicts this gruesome event accurately.

The FBI investigation led to major indictments ("Operation Strawman") and convictions of Midwest mob leaders, effectively ending their control over the Vegas casinos depicted.

The film accurately portrays the shift in Las Vegas from mob dominance to large corporations buying, renovating, and sometimes demolishing the older casinos, financed often by junk bonds.

Spilotro was known for extreme violence, and accounts link him to using a vice in the "M&M murders." The film uses this method in a different context (casino cheating) for dramatic effect.

The film is widely praised for its authentic recreation of the look, feel, glamour, and underlying menace of Las Vegas during the final years of major mob influence.

While fictional, the Tangiers effectively represents the type of large, mob-controlled casino hotel central to the story. Filming used the Riviera casino interiors extensively.

Depicts the inner workings of the casino floor, count room, surveillance, and management practices with a high degree of accuracy, aided by technical advisors.

Costumes meticulously capture the often flamboyant and excessive fashion trends of the 1970s and early 80s Las Vegas scene for both men and women.

The extensive use of period music effectively establishes the atmosphere and chronology of the different stages of the story.

Vehicles, communication technology (phones), and casino technology shown are appropriate for the 1970s and early 1980s timeframe.

Utilizes the desert setting outside Las Vegas for key scenes involving mob business and violence, reflecting the geographical reality.

Successfully conveys the defining characteristics of the mob-run Las Vegas era – immense wealth generation alongside brutal violence and personal excess.