Used as a coin in a place for gamblers (1,6)

'place for gamblers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'used as a coin' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'as' could be 'in' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'in' is found within the answer.
'a' is within the answer.
'coin' could be 'c' and 'c' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in a' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?