I didn't watch The Casino, but saw most of American Casino on the Discovery Channel over the weekend. It's a reality show about a casino that is definitely not on the Strip. The place almost looked like an Indian casino. The show was suprisingly watchable (unlike Mythbusters), and included casino staff drama, drunken brawls, and food service mishaps. I think last week was only the second episode.
From the Discovery Channel web site...
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas ... until now, that is.
Welcome to American Casino, the 13-part series that lifts the curtain on the day-to-day operations of the Green Valley Ranch Resort, Casino and Spa, a 450,000-square-foot lavish property and destination for celebrities, high rollers and locals alike.
Not surprisingly, running a $3 billion casino company is anything but a game of chance for Frank Fertitta III and his brother Lorenzo. Still in their 40s and 30s respectively, the two are the chief officers and principal shareholders of Station Casinos, of which Green Valley Ranch is a part. American Casino follows the Fertittas and their "team members" as they handle the volatile demands of their round-the-clock business — everything from the creation of extravagant banquets to the breaking up of fist-fights to the pampering of high rollers.
It's not an easy feat: As its name implies, Green Valley Ranch is more than just a casino. Its many amenities include a luxury hotel, a spa, multiple restaurants and bars, promotional events such as slot tournaments, and a wide variety of guest services, all of which require the coordinated efforts of a dedicated and passionate behind-the-scenes staff. The result? Story lines as diverse and entertaining as the family-run Green Valley Ranch itself.
