The clinking of casino chips and beeping from slot machines echoed throughout the halls in the second floor of the Union Friday.

"The only thing I know how to play is roulette," computer engineering freshman Terrell Black said. "But since I've been losing, it's more fun because it's just play money. I wouldn't be too happy if it were real."

Lauren Patterson, vice chairperson of films for the University Activities Board, said 478 people came to the event. She also added the event costs UAB about $10,000 to put on.

Activities for the event were split between the Union Ballroom and the Parlor rooms.

The UAB and the Brody Complex Residence Life staff sponsored A Night in Vegas: Casino Style Games and Entertainment.

The Union Ballroom was composed of a several blackjack tables and a stage, which was graced by Irv Cass, champion of the 1999 Images of the King contest. There was also a jazz blues band which entertained students.

Patterson said students in attendance began the night with $500 of play tokens.

The students would then exchange the tokens they won for raffle tickets.

A raffle was held at the end of the night where students had the opportunity to win a trip for two to New York City, a television set, a DVD player, a bike and coupons good at a variety of East Lansing businesses.

"It's just a fun, pretty laid back atmosphere," Patterson said. "It's just to give back to the students, they can have fun without any costs."

Nicholas Scheall, a mathematics graduate student, was the big winner of the evening and won the grand prize trip to New York.

"I was shocked, I thought it was somebody else," he said. "I didn't think I had any chance to win the trip," he said.

Scheall said he may go on the trip anytime within the next year. He said he hasn't decided who he will take on the trip.

"A lot of my friends were there, so they know I won," he said. "It's going to be tough deciding who to take."