I must admit that I know almost nothing about “online social gaming.” I do not play Candy Crush. I like Facebook because I can keep up with my family, not because it offers entertainment options. My eyes are already crossing from staring at the computer screen in my office at home for hours on end – answering e-mail, writing a blog and gaming articles, and, especially recently, tackling updates to all four of my books. If I want to “play games,” I can go to a casino a few blocks away and play video poker.
However, I do understand that other people have different goals and interests and lifestyles, with various geographical, health, family, and financial considerations – and social gaming can be an important part of their life. I do not know enough about this subject to write about it in detail, but I have had some reports from people who are active in some of these game options that are connected to bricks-and-mortar casinos, and some of the freebies they are earning sound valuable.
Of particular interest is myVegas. (http://myvegas.com/) Again, I must tell you that I haven’t investigated this or any other social gaming site. So I am not recommending anything here, just pointing out something readers might want to check out. MGM has been partnering with myVegas for some time now, and today I just saw an article in the Las Vegas newspaper announcing that the Station casinos were signing on. http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/business/casinos-gaming/social-casino-revenue-headed-above-27-billion
If you have had experience with any of the social gaming sites, please feel free to share your information, both positive and/or negative, in the “Comment” section below.
I love MyVegas, especially the games with a puzzle in the bonus where you have to find certain objects in a specified time. I have not spent any real money either & with daily spins & offers have done well. I will be in LV in Nov. & hope to use a reward or 2.
Hi Jean, VERY Long Time Indiana “Frugal Gambler” :)))) wife and I have been playing MyVegas on FB and the mobile site for about 3 months….started playing about 2 months before our last trip to Vegas (first week of Sept). We were skeptical but figured worth a shot since not spending any $$$. Well to our surprise it is real!!!! It’s easy to play (we play while watching TV) and earned 6 freebies without to much trouble:)))) including 2for1 at Bellagio, 2-free brunch buffets @ Monte Carlo (had never been there in over a dozen years of traveling to Vegas and we LOVED IT) 2-free Luxor diners 2for1 dinner buffets at Monte Carlo(told ya we loved it) among others!!!! NOT BAD for some play time in front of the TV…
Side Note: Some of the casinos seem to be tightening requirements for the rewards like having to stay the night to use a buffet coupon:( personally I feel this is a mistake on the casinos part!!!! Just in our case alone-as stated above we had never been to Monte Carlo in over a dozen+ yrs of coming to Vegas. Had it not been for the MyVegas buffet reward we may have never gone in the place…now wife and I WILL be returning as we both liked the place!!! and loved the BUFFET!!! Anyway just wanted to put this out there in case the CASINOS are listening (LOL)….
Jean: As always keep up your great work!!! We love ya:))))
I’ve been playing/using myVEGAS for a long time. You can find many posts about myVEGAS on my site. I’ll send you more details directly so you can share them if you want.
I havent’ spent anything on the game (although many players do buy chip packages) and I’ve used Rewards for free rooms, buffets, dining credits, shows (Zarkana and Zumanity), real casino FreePlay, Monorail passes, etc. I even picked up a few gift cards (Fandango and Coke World). In a few weeks I’ll finally be staying at Red Rock Resort thanks to the new Red Rock Room Comp Reward.
myVEGAS also offers Rewards for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and the House of Blues (not just the Las Vegas location).
It isn’t perfect. There are some inconsistencies with how Rewards are handled. It’s hard to complain, though, when I’m getting all of this without spending a cent.
Have redeemed 3 nights at Monte Carlo, two tickets to LOVE at Mirage and multiple free play vouchers via MyVegas. I’m a fan.
We went to Vegas on the 4th of July weekend with MyVegas vouchers in hand. We saved a lot of money on meals with these vouchers. I admit, at first I was hesitant and was expecting all kinds of exclusions that it was all a ruse to get us into the casinos. But it all worked out fine. You play as much as you want, and for the most part it’s free. You only buy chips (real money) if you want to or are an addicted player. No harm, no foul, clean fun.
Down side is you can only use so many vouchers, (3-4) per person. So the more people you take with vouchers, the more you save.
We are currently working our way into earning more chips for our next Vegas trip.
Hi, Jean ~ My hubby Gary and I both play MyVegas and on our last trips to Vegas cashed reward points in for tickets to Zumanity and Ka and buffets at Mandalay Bay among other things. So for us it’s been totally worth playing!
I have been playing MyVegas since the beginning and have redeemed several rewards for free buffets, drinks, candy, popcorn and monorail and even free Cirque show tickets. The games are fun and I can play while relaxing, watching tv at night. I think it’s well worth my time to play.