Casino Reviews

One of the casinos we really enjoy going to often is the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in upper state New York. It is about a 1.5 hour drive for us compared to 30 minutes to another closer casino. However, we enjoy this one much more.  It is not nearly as crowded, there are lots of machines and tables, the food is excellent and they have lots of free casino promotions that are interesting to us.

Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Promotions – Why Look for Comps

This is really what got us thinking about doing a blog comparing the promotions or comps that casinos offer. These are an enticement to get you to come to their facility. The old adage about competition works here. Local casinos are just not offering very much in the way of enticements to come to their casinos. They have no competition. The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino is a bit out of the way and for us a long drive. However, the advantages of the casino comps make it worth our while to go to this location compared to others.

They have great hotel promotions and great meal promotions. There are a variety of other comps that really make a difference in our decision to go to this casino vs. others.

We decided to add a checklist of casino comps and/or promotions to this post. We will add others that we will be doing, which you can see below. Not all comps and promotions will be of interest to you. If there are some that you do not understand leave us a comment. We will add a post to let you know what they are. If we missed a comp or if there is a new promotion we are not aware of let us know and we will add it.

Compare Comps and Promotions

We will complete and add comments about the other two casinos that we included on this chart shortly. Watch for these posts or view our categories.

How to get free casino bonuses

If you want to receive free casino bonuses, you must make sure that the casino knows that you’re in the casino. That you are playing the slot machines, or the tables. The casinos have automated the approach to tracking their customers. They now use slot cards primarily for people who play machines. At the tables, it is still the pit boss who keeps track of someone playing at their tables. You are at their mercy in terms of casino bonuses. However, if you get their attention and they observe that you are consistently playing without delay without taking breaks they will reward you with extra comps and bonuses. This is including free meals, rooms, etc depending on your style of play, the denomination of your bets, and so on.

Slot cards

A slot card is a simple card much like a credit card but with a different function. It identifies the player to the casino whenever the slot card is inserted into the slot machine. When the card is in the machine the computer will keep track of your play, the amount that you bet, and the time spent playing the machine. Based on the stats, the casino will figure out what bonuses to provide you while you’re in the casino as well as on your next trip. It is these stats that are so important when it comes to receiving free bonuses and patrons of the casino should always make sure that their slot card is properly inserted.

Not all slot cards are the Same

All slot cards work pretty much the same way. Unfortunately, not all casinos give out comps or bonuses in the same manner or the same quantity. As a general rule, if there is lots of competition, the comp’s are going to get better. If there is only one casino in the area, then you may receive mediocre comps and bonuses. I guess something is better than nothing.

A good example is the OLG casinos run in Ontario. They give out bonuses, however, they are notorious for being the worst in the industry for bonuses, simply because they do not have any competition in the markets they operate in. if you are looking for serious bonuses, don’t waste your money in OLG casinos, go to the states or border towns like Niagara Falls and Windsor to receive better casino bonuses.

Types of Free Bonuses to Expect

They all depend on your play and the number of visits to the casino, the length of time you spend playing, and the denomination of your bets. But even a little casino bonus is better than nothing at all.

Free rooms – or discounted rooms can be obtained based on your play
Complimentary meals – free meals, two for one deal, and discounted meals.
Free play – free cash loaded onto your card for you to play in the slot machines
Small jackpot – sometimes small jackpots are awarded based on draws, etc
Free upgrades – an upgrade to a better class of room is sometimes offered
Casino rate – paying the casino rate is always better than someone booking a room with no slot card.

Points Play – based on your play, points are awarded and can be used to pay for meals, rooms, and sundries at the gift store.

Remember to always make sure to have your slot card properly inserted into your slot machine when playing. If you see an error message on the small screen, re-insert your card. Make sure that your play counts towards your casino bonuses.

We thought we start off with a list of the typical things that casinos hand out as comps in an effort to attract customers. As we indicated previously not all casinos will offer these comps so check them out when you visit and let us know. We will be updating and adding posts here from time to time about the comps and promotions we encounter. They also change with time, so what we place on this web site may not be always correct and up to date when you visit.

All comps assume you are using a slot card or have identified yourself to the pit boss if you are paying the tables. This is the only way they can keep track of your play and provide comps to you from time to time.

Standard List of Casino Promotions and Comps

These are not in any order of value or popularity.

• Free or discounted drinks when playing at the tables or the slots
• Adding free play to your slot card
• Free meals at most restaurants
• Free rooms on week nights or even on the weekend
• Discounted rooms st what is called casino rate
• Free WiFi
• Free newspaper, although who reads a newspaper any more
• Access is free to spa or at least to the pool and exercise rooms
• Free tickets to shows and entertainment
• Free passes for bridge tolls if applicable
• Sometimes they even offer free gas
• Free travel costs – gasoline, air, train etc
• Senior discounts for meals, drinks and other items
• Half price deals on just about everything
• Free draws and ticket promotions
• Random in your seat draws for money, meals or tickets to shows
• Times points awards e.g. 5 times or 13 times the points you normally receive

As we come across added comps and promotions we will update this list, however if you are aware of some that we have missed, let us know and we will add them.

Why Collect these Points etc

Some people cannot be bothered with all of this and the need to carry and insert a slot card into a slot machine. They are more focused on what they win or lose. We believe that the comps are part of the winning side of things. A free room might be worth a $100 at some locations, meals worth $30 etc. This is the same as winning a small jackpot which you get to actually receive and enjoy. One always must be careful about how much they play and gamble, but it is a nice surprise to be given something that you were not expecting. Take advantage of these casino promotions whenever you can!

Save

The majority of casinos offer slot cards these days to their customers. These slot cards will track your play at the slot machines as well as at the tables. Based on your play you will receive complimentary rooms, meals, and free play. As well as other complementary items based on your overall play. Online Casino Bonuses are also being added to entice players to join online games.

Use your slot card whenever you’re playing the slot machines or at the tables. There’s another reason to use your slot card in addition to those above. That is a win/loss statement which reports your overall wins and overall losses. You can use these losses as deductions against any major wins that you have during the year for which taxes were withdrawn.

Check Your Online Casino Bonuses Balance Often

Check your online bonus balance often to see what online bonuses you have available. The casino will add bonuses from time to time based on your play and you may want to check on a weekly or monthly basis to see what free meals you have, free rooms you have and other free play that may be available. It is easy to check the status of your online bonus.

Online casino bonuses include free rooms, free play, cashback, Free meals, and tickets to shows. If you are a high roller, there may be additional benefits that may be eligible for you. Check with your slot host, or check online and for all of the “potential complementary comps that you have.

Use your online casino bonus whenever you visit the casino, whether you’re visiting a real casino or an online casino. These casino bonuses are awarded often on a monthly basis so you may want to check after the beginning of each month to find out what online casino bonuses are available for you.

Equivalent to a small jackpot

An online casino bonus is really cool and likes winning a small jackpot. For example, if you are awarded a complimentary room for the night at your favorite casino, this can be valued as much as $200-$300 depending on the quality of the room and the quality of the casino hotel that you’re visiting. Anytime you can win two or $300, that’s a small jackpot in our books.

Online casino bonus depends on how often you play and how much you gamble. Every time you insert your slot card into a slot machine, the casino will be tracking how much money you’re playing, and how long you are at that particular slot machine, and also the rate of play. It all boils down to how much money you’re gambling to determine what online bonuses are available to you. Some people may be disappointed if they don’t receive a lot of online bosses from the casino. This usually means that they either did not insert their slot card, or they were not betting as much as they think they were. The casinos have an excellent process that is fully automated and tracks all player’s play as long as the slot card is inserted.

Good luck with obtaining all of your free online casino bonuses.

Service with a smile seems to be the motto of the staff at the Akwesasne Casino Service and also at the hotel. We have personally had great service and after sitting in the lounge near the check-in counter have seen this same service offered to many other customers.

Ready to help whenever they can, in fact, I asked a slot tech if he could call a server to bring us a drink and he personally went and got it himself rather than make us wait. Of course, if he had been really busy he might not have done this, but the fact that he did it speaks volumes in our mind. We have never seen that level of service at any other casino ever.

Akwesasne Casino Service – Concierge

The Concierge helps with the bags and other things that a concierge is supposed to do, however, these guys do so in a very friendly manner, joke with the customers, and do all they can to help the customer. I watched them for over an hour one day and everyone appreciated their attitude and support.  They provide directions and are very friendly. While readers might think that this is something they should automatically do, and it is true they should, we have seen enough places where they can barely give you the time of day. These guys are doing a great job.

Waitresses

The Waitresses are always helpful and friendly as well. They are fast and efficient and acknowledge return customers. We always tip, but a few times we have not had any money to tip, and they brush it off with a smile. They know we will tip them in the future and not put out by missing one tip.

This level of service is so different than service at Canadian casinos. When have you ever seen a technician get you a drink? How many times does the bartender or the waitress smile at you? Frankly, they just do not care about the level of service that Canadian casinos provide to their customers.
The Canadian casino staff is not nearly as friendly. When it comes to paying out jackpots, not only do you have to wait for them to show up, they expect a tip as well. The Akwesasne staff are fast and are not looking for tips when they pay out jackpots.

The writer is a Canadian, however, I would much rather spend my money in the US casinos due to the level of service and the comp’s you get. The Akwesasne casino is clearly at the top of the service bar and well worth the money spent to stay there.