August 13, 2026 - 1:46 pm

A Strip casino’s attempt to lure in new customers with the enticement of free gambling worked a little too well, and the resort has already pulled the plug.

Treasure Island hotel-casino said Thursday that its $200 free slot play giveaway is over. The promotion was advertised to run through Sept. 7.

From the start of the promotion on Monday, long lines gathered at Treasure Island to sign up for a player reward card, which was needed to receive the free slot play. By Tuesday afternoon, guests were waiting upwards of two to three hours. On Wednesday, there were reports of people standing in line for over five hours.

“Due to overwhelming response, the offer reached its planned capacity earlier than anticipated,” according to a news release attributed to the casino.

In a separate statement responding to questions from the Review-Journal, a property spokesperson said, “The promotion was designed to raise awareness, attract new players, reconnect with former guests, and reward our loyal customers. It also showcased the benefits of Treasury Players Club, which offers great rewards for players. With major changes underway with our neighbors, it was a good way to remind both locals and visitors that Treasure Island is open, welcoming guests, and continuing to invest in the player experience.”

The offer attracted an unusual amount of attention because of its liberal terms and its scope. According to the terms, the free play had to be activated and used within 24 hours, and played through once. Meaning, once a player gambled exactly $200, they could cash out any winnings or leftover funds.

While many casinos offer free play, very few give such a high amount of no-strings-attached funds to such a wide range of gamblers.

Contact David Danzis at ddanzis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0378. Follow @AC2Vegas_Danzis on X.