Tag: casinos

Casino Security – A New TV Show to Profile Vegas Cheaters

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

Do you work in security at a Las Vegas casino property? It may not always be as glamorous as an Ocean’s Eleven plotline, but casino security and surveillance in Las Vegas is a serious business. As a security guard, one has to be aware of their surroundings at all times. The job at hand is to maintain the safety and security of the staff and patrons of an establishment, and to diffuse any potentially hazardous or disruptive situation before it can happen. The job can present some unique challenges on the casino floor.

Every year gamblers come to Vegas to try their luck, and a small number of them come with the intentions of cheating the system. There is a new documentary series titled “Cheating Vegas” set to premier on Sunday on the Destination America cable channel which will detail how these cheaters try to gain an advantage, and what casinos are doing to stop them. Sunday’s premiere episode will showcase the impressive security features inside the Aria resort. Are you planning to tune in?

And remember, Nevada law specifies that security professionals in Clark County must obtain a TAM® Card prior to the start of work. It’s not just cheaters and thieves that need to be managed in a casino setting; security professional needs to be on the lookout for disruptive patrons, rowdy drunks, and even dishonest employees. To learn more about what to watch out for if you work in security or are considering a career as a security professional, read our blog post, “Casino Security – Suspicious Activity to Watch For.”

What types of scams or suspicious behavior have you witnessed while working as a security guard? What tips would you give to someone looking to work as a security professional in Las Vegas?

Resources

© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Club Drugs: A Growing Problem in Casinos and Industry Hot Spots

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

Drug use continues to rise in our casinos, clubs, pools, concert venues and bars. The Gaming Control Board has alerted casinos and other establishments that this behavior will not be tolerated (State of Nevada Gaming Control Board). Is it possible to deal more effectively with this growing problem? Use of club drugs such as ecstasy, ketamine, GHB, and others is on the rise and establishments are tasked with working to keep patrons safe, so it is imperative that staff knows how to spot and deal with these risky behaviors. Do you know how to spot and effectively deal with customers who are under the influence of drugs?

As a bartender or server, there are certain things you should watch for to spot any patrons who may be engaging in and promoting dangerous drug use:

  • Watch for customers who are behaving erratically or exhibit symptoms of possibly being under the influence of drugs such as loss of coordination, dizziness, fainting, confusion or slurred speech (SAMHSA).
  • Be alert. If you suspect that your patron may have smuggled in and used club drugs at your establishment, you should treat them just as you would with someone who has had too much to drink. Alert your manager or supervisor so that they can intervene if necessary.
  • Remember, some club drugs such as Rohypnol may be lethal when mixed with alcohol and/or other depressants (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Given this, it is even more important to gauge a customer and situation before serving an alcoholic beverage.
  • Always check your employee handbook or company policies regarding how your employer handles these types of situations. You need to be aware of both company policies and you may have to report any suspicious behavior or anything that makes you uncomfortable to a manger. There may even be rules dictating that the person is escorted safely off of the property.

You can learn more about managing patrons from seasoned industry professionals with real-world experience by taking the Techniques of Alcohol Management (TAM) ® course offered by TAM® of Nevada. How have you chosen to identify and respond to situations of club drug use?

Resources

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

 

Viva Las Vegas: History of a Great American City

Published on by TAM of Nevada1 Comment

Las Vegas SignFrom humble beginnings as stopover railroad outpost to its current position as one of the most buzzed about and happening cities in the United States, Las Vegas has a rich and vibrant history.

The Las Vegas Sun recently put together a thoroughly detailed and incredibly interesting overview of all the highlights (and lowlights!) and important turning points in this great city’s history. You can check out their special coverage including a thorough timeline, interactive maps, videos and more here.

TAM® of Nevada is proud to have been a fixture in this town for over twenty-five years, but that’s just a blip on the radar for Las Vegas. Make sure to check out the Sun’s coverage on everything from the boomtown beginnings to mob ties, big personalities, population booms, and everything else in between. We were surprised by some of the facts we read (Did you know gambling was illegal in Nevada between 1909 and 1931?), and we loved reading through some of the specific coverage and stories on some of Las Vegas’ biggest personalities. Las Vegas residents should be proud to call such a diverse and interesting place home. It may be known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in America, but locals knows this is also a great metropolis with a rich history and lots to offer residents.

So, what say you TAM® Nation readers? What is your favorite part of Las Vegas’ storied history? What fact or figure surprised you most?

Resources

The History of Las Vegas – Las Vegas Sun

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

 

Are You Prepared for an Alcohol Awareness Card Check?

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

Reno SignSellers and servers of alcohol in Washoe and Clark counties are required to complete alcohol education and obtain an alcohol awareness card prior to the start of work. If an undercover officer came to your place of employment today to check the status of alcohol awareness card holders, would you be in compliance?

Establishments need to be diligent in requiring staff to check ID’s when making alcohol sales. Every establishment needs policies and procedures to prevent underage persons from obtaining alcohol, and to protect themselves from liability, and the public from harm. Decoy operations are not just used to catch those selling alcohol to minors, they can also be used to check the validity of your alcohol education card and whether it is expired.

According to Fox Reno, officers on the Street Enforcement Team in Reno, Nevada recently completed alcohol compliance checks at bars and casinos around Reno, and results were surprising. Detectives used underage decoys to enter establishments and try to purchase alcohol. Of the twenty locations visited, bartenders at seven of those locations were cited for selling alcohol to a minor! Remember, selling alcohol to a minor is a very serious offense. TAM® of Nevada provides alcohol awareness training which covers all aspects of furnishing alcohol to a minor, and provides training on spotting fake IDs. Service professionals must be aware of the facts and dangers of teenage drinking and diligent about checking identification.

Additionally, if you are busted serving alcohol to a minor, one of the first things law enforcement and your employer may do is look at your alcohol education card. Of the twenty bartenders mentioned above, all were carrying an alcohol education card. Not all training is created equal; completing your alcohol awareness course with TAM® of Nevada shows you’re serious about obtaining the best alcohol education possible.

Don’t put yourself at risk, always ask for identification, and get educated on effective ways to help stop teen drinking.

Resources

Undercover Alcohol Compliance Check Results in Casino Citations – Fox Reno

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada