The First Thing I Do When I Walk Into a Casino
By Casino Kelly
Most people walk into a casino and head straight for their favorite slot machine.
Me?
I stop at a player’s club kiosk and swipe my player card.
It takes about 30 seconds, but it’s totally worth it because you never know what might be waiting for you.
Free Play
Casinos frequently load surprise free play onto player accounts. Sometimes it’s tied to a promotion, other times it’s simply a marketing offer that wasn’t advertised.
If I don’t use the kiosk, I might never know it’s there.
I’ve had plenty of visits where swiping my card turned into an unexpected “win” before I ever put my own money into a machine, especially during my birthday month!
Tier Credit Bonuses
Many casinos also run promotions that award bonus tier credits or multiplier days.
These can help you move up to the next player’s club level faster, unlocking better perks like free rooms, dining credits, priority lines, and other benefits.
For example, during my recent trip to Reno, I had a ten times points multiplier, and that adds up quickly! I was able to pay for dinner with my points and still have some left over to get a few things in the gift shop before leaving.
Some promotions require players to activate them at a kiosk BEFORE playing in order for them to be in effect. Skipping that step could cost you rewards you would have earned anyway.
I have firsthand experience with this, and trust me, it’s a huge letdown when you realize you just missed out on a big multiplier day after playing for hours.
Don’t Assume the Casino Will Tell You
This is probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned. Just because you have an offer doesn’t necessarily mean someone is going to tell you about it.
I’ve learned to take a few minutes when I arrive to see what’s available instead of assuming I already know.
Promotions can change from one visit to the next, and sometimes there are offers available at the kiosk that I wasn’t expecting at all. I also check again if I’m staying at a casino for several days.
A new promotion may start during my trip, or there may be something available on Friday that wasn’t there on Thursday.
It takes almost no time to check, and I’d much rather spend 30 seconds at a kiosk than find out later that I left free play, bonus points, or another perk sitting there unused.
Other Offers
The kiosk is also a great place to see if you’ve qualified for drawings, point multipliers, tournaments, or gift giveaways.
Every casino is different, but many use kiosks to deliver offers that may not always appear in your email.
And don’t forget to actually read what’s on the screen! I know it’s tempting to swipe, grab your free play, and go, but take an extra minute to scroll through the available promotions. You might be surprised at what you find.
After years of playing, I have finally made it a habit to swipe first. Before I grab a drink, before I find my favorite machine, and definitely before my first spin, I swipe my player card at the kiosk.
It takes less than a minute, costs absolutely nothing, and could make your casino visit a whole lot more rewarding. So next time you walk into a casino and you’re tempted to head straight for the slots, make one quick detour first.
Swipe the card. Check the offers. Then go have some fun!
