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The casino experience goes far beyond gaming with offerings such as entertainment venues, restaurants and, of course, bars.

This campfire old fashioned, devised by the mixologists at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, has mexican chocolate, cocoa and a smoked marshmallow. (Photo Courtesy of Brandon Means, Harrah’s Resort Southern California)

And if you fancy a cocktail between slot play, you might be interested to know that there was a person — or sometimes a team of people — that came up with the drink in your hand. We talked with mixologists and beverage managers from four casinos about how they come up with drinks, what’s hot right now and what’s going to be popular in the future. Read more about what they had to say.

More casino news

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San Manuel’s new CEO settles into new role, sets goals

Beyond Southern California…

Thousands flocked to the Las Vegas Strip last weekend to place bets for March Madness. Vegas has long been a destination for college basketball fans, but now the first and second rounds of the tournament have become one of the busiest weekends for the city. Hotel occupancy has been over 98 percent for the last three years each time the tournament rolls around.