About the time Cher takes to the stage in Burlesque (first 15 minutes), my mind begins to slip. ‘Is she still playing in Vegas?’ I think to myself. Then I drift deeper and find myself daydreaming about lounging in a Strip sports book drinking on the casino’s dime.
It’s no secret that Las Vegas casinos ply players with free booze. If you are gambling you are eligible. The problem is that gambling requires you to spend money. And despite the free drinks, its just not really budget-friendly, unless you win of course. There is, however, a way to drink for hours for only $2, even in the swankiest of casinos.
Never a big gambler, I was always more interested in scheming the casino for free drinks than playing craps. Like 737s on a flight path, cocktail waitresses work a similar pattern around the casino floor; the key is to find their path and then post up at the nearest slot machine ( I prefer the penny slots). It’s a solid solution for free drinks; unfortunately, its a bit tedious.
For years this tactic was my go to move in Vegas. I would sit at a machine, slowly putting in coins while scoping the floor for the waitress. Then, I discovered the sports book. Like an ultimate man cave, the sports book hosts all things sports, including horse racing, on a wall of TVs. For as little as $2, I can bet on a two hour sporting event, making me eligible for free, unlimited drinks while I’m watching the game in the sports book (just remember to keep your wagering ticket out and to tip your server).
If you are looking for more Las Vegas budget tips, check out our latest story in the San Diego Uptown News, and then head over to Brooke vs. the World to read her tales of visiting Las Vegas and dining at Sin City Buffets.
*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers & Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!
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16 comments
Is the Bellagio’s sports book still giving free drinks? I know that they were one of the last to allow walk ups to have free booze… Penny Slots is way to tedius for me to milk for free drinks, I need to be watching games and talking with friends or else I’d rather go to the CVS and buy booze to carry around.
My buddies and did this in college all the time. Just sit there for hours! I need to get back and do it again!
Holy crap! That is GENIUS. I tried the penny slots and the waitstaff just kept passing my by…
First that photo is just hilarious! But I used to do this on my trips to Vegas all the time once I figured out what was going on. For the first nights I kept trying to figure out why the waitresses were bringing me drinks then my college buddy informed me. From then on it was just free drinks barely any playing. The sports book sounds like an even better solution.
I actually cringed when I saw this post due to the fact that my buddies and I have been hitting a certain sports book since 2001 and have never paid for a drink. I thought we were the only ones who knew! To my knowledge, there is only one still offering the freebies, and I don’t have the heart to type it’s name. But as you describe sir, it is a glorious parade of games, drinks, and waitresses … I couldn’t imagine anything more you would want in a man cave.
@Scott, Oh, man I hope that’s not true. I haven’t been to Vegas in a year, but on my last trip I was still getting free drinks at Circus Circus. If what you are saying is true, guard that secret with your life. I’d hate to see the “glorious parade” end forever. -RANDY
@Morgan, Definitely feel you on the penny slots. Though, sometimes they can be a good way to get a quick free drink. If I am just wandering through, and I spot a waitress taking orders, I’ll try to position myself in her route. I’m not sure about the Bellagio. I’ve acutally never spent anytime in their sports book. When I was in Vegas in April 2010, I was still getting free drinks in the Circus Circus sports book as long as I placed a bet. And in 2009, I remember getting free drinks in a few sports books (I think MGM Grand and Tropicana). -RANDY
@Erica, Oh yeah, that’s happened to me too! Sometimes they try to ignore you, so I always try to make eye contact and raise my hand if they are being temperamental and say, “Art thou penny currency too?” This is where tipping comes in. I always try to tip the waitress a couple of bucks on the first couple drinks, so that they have more of an incentive to come back. -RANDY
@Greg, Me too! It’s been about a year, and that’s just too long to be away from Vegas. -RANDY
@Bluegreen Kirk, Yeah, my first time in Vegas was in 1998 for a Phish show. I was only 20 ( a young looking 20 at that), but the waitresses around the slot machines in Circus Circus never denied me a free drink. Unfortunately, I got a bit greedy. Not realizing they worked in patterns, I’d down my drinks and then move quickly to another machine near a different waitress. I didn’t realize it, but I sat down beside this high roller on the $1 slots ( this is when the machines still paid out coins; he had a rack full of $1 and $5 coins) and I got questioned a few minutes later by security and the floor boss. Apparently, my movements were suspicious; I was clueless. Once they realized my true intentions, they sighed and told me to go back to my room. -Randy
This is a really good tip. The sports book areas always seemed to have really comfy seats, too! Also, cheers for the linkage – I was wondering where the recent hits for those posts came from 😉 You rock!
Glad it helped! Vegas can be a budget travelers dream! @Brooke vs. the World,
truly, i am in your debt. thank you kindly for such a genius strategy. i intend on employing this the next time i go to vegas. sports and free booze? yes please.
Glad we could help! Next time you go be sure to have one for me – or several since they’re free. 🙂
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