Long Lines And Lots Of Frustration As Mirage Casino Hosts Massive Jackpot Opportunity
Over $1.6 million is available, taken from unclaimed progressive jackpots that are required to pay out according to Nevada regulations.
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Huge crowds of hopeful casino gamblers turned up at the iconic Mirage Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip as the venue kicked off a progressive finale cash giveaway before its permanent closure next week.
Over $1.6 million is available to win, taken from unclaimed progressive jackpots, which are required to pay out as winnings according to Nevada gaming regulations. The Mirage announced that between July 9-16 it will pay $1.2 million in slot prizes and the remaining $400,000 in table game winnings.
As expected, since Tuesday the casino floor has been packed with excited players, but the heavy traffic has also led to frustration and long lines.
Everything must go
Nevada gambling laws mandate that all unclaimed progressive jackpot slots must be paid out before a casino can permanently shut. Casino representatives said the property intends to split its remaining progressive jackpots into a series of guaranteed cash prizes, with drawings occurring every 30 minutes between 3 and 7 p.m.
As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, almost all working slot machines have been backed up with long lines of players. Ahead of its closure, the Mirage has already decommissioned half of its machines, resulting in high demand for the remaining active slots, with some people waiting for more than two hours for a chance to play.
Speaking to the Review-Journal, Texas resident Krissy Carter said she saw people refusing to vacate slot machines.”Everyone has a right to play,” Carter said, “but it’s frustrating when people only have like $1 in a machine and they’re not really playing.”
‘Absolute mayhem’
Noted professional sports bettor Bill Krackomberger captured the scene in a video posted on social media site X. A packed casino floor can be seen, with all slot machines occupied. Krackomberger describes the situation as “absolute mayhem.”
The Mirage opened on Nov. 22, 1989, and at the time it was the world’s most expensive casino resort. Known for its iconic twin-wing design and 54-foot man-made volcano, The Mirage is considered the first mega-resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip. After 34 years in operation, the jungle-fantasy-themed property formally announced in May its plan to close this year. Owner Hard Rock International said the closure would happen on July 17.
The Mirage will be repurposed into the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. The volcano will eventually be replaced by a near-700-foot guitar-shaped hotel with Hard Rock branding.
