Lesson: How Casinos Work - The Simple Explanation

Conversation

Answer the following questions. You might be asked to write them down or answer them out loud.

1. Have you ever been to a casino? Did you win any money or anything?
2. Have you ever played any games for money, like poker?
3. How do/would you feel in a casino environment? Why?
4. What is your opinion about gambling?
5. Why is gambling addictive?
6. Should casinos be legal? Why?
7. Do you think that those who own and run casinos are criminals or swindlers?
8. Do you regard putting money in machines for prizes, at an amusement arcade, as gambling?
9. Do you play slot machines?
10. Is there such a thing as good and bad luck? If so, what is it?

Vocabulary

Look at the vocabulary below. Take time to explore the links for their definitions in English and their translations to Portuguese. When you are done, make a sentence with each word. Ask your teacher if you should write them down or say them out loud.

DT   bunch

DT   great

DT   pile

DT   refer

DT   lottery

DT   push

DT   buttons

DT   lights

DT   even

DT   machine

DT   loud

DT   keep

DT   swindler

DT   charge

DT   bright

DT   unfortunately

DT   gamble

Video

Watch the following video but DON'T read the transcript yet.

After watching the video do this listening exercise.

Reading practice

Read the following transcript then do the associated reading comprehension exercise.

ExpandTranscript:

This is the story of Casinos and how they work. The story begins with a bunch of people. And these aren't just any other people. They're people with money. And these people get a great idea. They decide to put all of their money in a pile. Now, this pile is what we usually refer to as a Casino. Some people also call it a lottery. Now, at the Casino, these people play games, not only bet. They get to push buttons on machines that have lights and sounds. Sometimes the people even win the game and the machine makes really loud sounds. When this happens, it means that these people get to keep some of the money from the pile. As you can imagine, this makes those people very happy. Everyone sees those people that are happy and they realize that putting the money in a big pile was really a great idea, they want some money too. But, the Casino has a charge for making some of the people really happy. After all, nothing is free and the charge is the rest of the money. Which makes the Casino very happy, and leaves no money for everyone else. But, there is hope, because maybe someday they'll be the one pushing the button that makes the bright lights and loud sounds, and they'll get some of the money out of the pile. But, probably not. Unfortunately, this is the end of the story.

Writing practice

Write a short story that takes place in a casino using the simple past tense. Make sure to use words you learned from the text and try to make it as long as you can.

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