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When a casino in Nevada offers a contest (drawing, jackpots given at random times, etc.), is the contest regulated by the state Gaming Board or do the casinos have carte blanche as to how and who receives the prizes? In other words, can a casino "fix" the giveaway so that only certain people can "win" it even though it is presented as a random event?
Nevada casinos learned an expensive lesson a couple of decades ago, though the Venetian was the one that had to actually pay for it.
In this case, however, it wasn't the gaming regulators who "caught" the Venetian rigging a drawing. Rather, the Venetian confessed (though the diplomatic term that was used was "self-reported") to fixing a "random " drawing to reward a high roller who’d lost big at the casino. Las Vegas Sands paid a big fine. You can read the whole story in a QoD we answered in August 2017.
Michael Lawton of the Nevada Gaming Control Board says that, yes, the board regulates these contests. He elaborates, “All Group 1 licensees are required to comply with the minimum control standards (MICS), version 8. MICS for all areas can be found at this link: You will find specific standards applicable to drawings, giveaways, and contests/tournaments, which are replicated in the various revenue-center MICS (e.g., slots, bingo, keno, table games, and race and sports).”
Officially at least, you can participate in a casino contest without trepidation.