By Suzanne Paulman
Excitement was in the air as on Feb. 20, when The Gilpin Casino drew the winner for its first-time “Shake and Bake!” giveaway of an all-expenses paid trip to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Race in Las Vegas, which was held March 6. The trip was a celebration of the opening in December of The Gilpin’s new auto-themed Winner’s Circle table games pit area featuring blackjack, craps and roulette.
The Gilpin served a delicious buffet before the drawing in its event room to a huge crowd of more than 100 casino patrons eligible for the giveaway. A live NASCAR event raced across the three flat screens scattered on the walls throughout the room. Jimmie Johnson was one of the event’s racecar drivers. Race Fever, one of the Winner’s Circle sponsors, donated a prize to the Winner’s Circle ongoing Grand Prix Points Race of a plaque with an autographed photograph of Johnson and a piece of metal from one of his cars.
Brynja and Sara, MillerCoors promotional specialists, flank NASCAR prize winner Mark Geisert.
Brynja and Sara, promotional specialists for MillerCoors, another Winner’s Circle sponsor, circulated throughout the room in talking to the guests before the drawing. One patron at a table eagerly anticipated winning the trip and told the MillerCoors girls, “This will be my first one.”
Scott Hayzlett, table games supervisor, announced the drawing to the crowd. The room became silent. The first name drawn was Mark Geisert, who was present and stood up to cheers from his table to claim his prize. Mark was calm—probably in shock over his win—as Scott helped him fill out paperwork for the trip, including a stay at the lavish Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Mark marveled that it was his first big win ever. One of his first thoughts was how to get time off of work for the trip. He was really excited about his good fortune. Mark’s father and brother-in-law were with him and had called Mark’s wife about the good news.
After the drawing guests moved downstairs into the casino for more gambling and good luck at the Winner’s Circle. Brynja and Sara accompanied them, drawing a big crowd to the table games area when they played a few of the games. They also walked around the casino and handed out small gifts to guests. Scott and other staff members started announcing prizewinners every half hour for the rest of the evening until 9 p.m. It was a great Sunday to be at The Gilpin.
The Winner’s Circle Grand Prix Points Race still continues with a variety of grand prizes being offered in this promo. Play and earn your points for the unique Jimmie Johnson plaque. Scott promises that even more exciting events are coming up at the Winner’s Circle in the very near future. Contact The Gilpin Casino for more details about the special promos by visiting their website at www.thegilpincasino.com or by calling 303-582-1133.
