A Free $1,000 Night

Gambling halls are making it more lucrative for first time players to enjoy what they have to offer. All you need to do is drive around their areas and keep your eyes open.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't talk my mother into going to Las Vegas.

My mother along with her sisters, Aunt Annie and Aunt Gladys, loved to gamble. But they preferred to do it close to home. They would play the slot machines at the local Moose Club where my dad was a life member, or they would bet with Al, the town bookie.

Sometimes they would drive to Wheeling, WV to play the dog or horse races. But they drew the line when it came to Las Vegas.

"They would take all my money," Mom said. And she firmly stuck to her vow of not visiting Sin City all her life.

I wish my parents were still alive. I think I could talk them into visiting Las Vegas or one of the other gambling meccas in Nevada like Laughlin or Reno.

The fact is that casinos across Nevada have become much more competitive. They are offering perks and complimentary gifts to players that must be seen to be believed.

Let's say that you and a friend want to visit Nevada for the first time. If you play your cards right, you could pick up anywhere from $10 to $1,000 in free slot play just by signing up for a free player's card.

This is what some of the smaller casinos are offering these days. They may not be on the famous Las Vegas Strip and you might have to do a little searching, but the casinos are available to anyone who does a little looking.

Here is an idea for a fun evening for you and it won't cost you more than a couple of dollars to try it. Leave your money in your car and take only your identification and a couple of bucks into the following casinos for your shot at free play.

BINION'S GAMBLING HALL AND HOTEL in downtown Las Vegas. Just for signing up, you will receive a free player's card and free play on the slot machines. Bennie Binion would be proud the casino that bears his name is doing it for players.

BOULDER STATION, Las Vegas. Just walk up to the cashier's cage and you can be awarded up to $500 in free slot play just by signing up for a free player's card.

LAUGHLIN, NV. has nine gambling casinos. Their room and food rates are cheaper than Las Vegas and you can get free or match play just by signing up for that free player's card. Isn't this fun?

CANNERY CASINO will give you a return of up to $100 of your initial losses. Just ask at the cashier's cage.

CASINO ROYALE AND HOTEL gives new players up to $50 in free slot play -- and they do it with a smile.

CLUB FORTUNE CASINO provides players with up to $1,000 in free slot play. For details, see the cashier's cage.

Other casinos from time to time will make special offers to new players. Drive around the city and check their neon signs. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Reno, NV. has always been generous with its perks and comps. Room and food rates are cheaper than Las Vegas and casino owners and managers are always looking for new ways to increase their share of first-time visitors.

Talk to the casino hosts if you want to increase your share of comps. They will tell you where to bet and how much to wager to put more free money in your pocket. One host suggests this: if you want to maximize your comps and perks, bet more at the start.

In Laughlin and Reno, room rates during mid-week can range from $29 to $39, with breakfasts and dinners starting at $2.99 or less.

Good luck. Let the games begin.