Gaming briefs for May 28, 2004

Friday, May 28, 2004 | 10:37 a.m.

Company to offer gas cards

Responding to soaring gas prices in recent weeks, Harrah's Entertainment Inc. has begun a program that will offer free gas cards to members of its Total Rewards slot club loyalty program.

The offer is part of the company's revamped Total Rewards program, introduced last summer, that gives players higher-end freebies as well as a greater array of comps than the traditional steak dinners, free shows and other perks handed out to repeat customers, Harrah's spokesman David Strow said. Some of those perks include golf clubs, watches and big-screen television sets.

Harrah's officials have added gas cards from oil companies including Shell and Sunoco to that list.

Managers at each Harrah's property nationwide will have the authority to decide whether to offer the gas cards to their top gamblers, Strow said. Managers also will determine the value of the cards based on gambling activity, he said.

"We want to have a very wide range of alternatives for customers to redeem their points and we want to make sure we offer them something they want. These days a lot of customers want free gasoline."

Nine players in final game

Nine players -- all non-Nevada residents -- will participate in the final game of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas, which was expected to begin today at noon and continue into the evening.

The first place prize is $5 million, followed by $3.5 million for second place, $2.5 million for third place, $1.5 million for fourth place and $1.1 million for fifth place. Last year's top prize was $2.5 million.

The World Series of Poker said it set a world record this year for a live poker tournament, attracting a $49 million total prize pool and 13,038 players for the event's 33 games. In the days leading up to today, 2,576 players gambled for a seat at the final game.