Nicky Santoro is the main antagonist of Casino. Ginger is his personal downfall, and Nicky the cause of him having issues with the mob bosses. The ultimate downfall however was the arrogance. In Casino ( movie), why doesn't Ace have Nicky Santoro murder Lester Diamond and bury his body in the desert so that he cannot bother Ginger. Nicky Santoro: You want me to get out of my own fuckin town? Ace Rothstein: Yeah I said l-let the bullshit blow over for a while, so I can run the casino. . He's based off real life Chicago Outfit enforcer Anthony John "The Ant" Spilotro.