I went to Las Vegas a lot during the 1980s and 1990s. Even from the East Coast, the airfare was practically free. I remember paying $49 for one way tickets out of Logan. The hotels were very cheap too. Inexpensive first class buffets, free parking and drinks were pretty much free in the casinos. All they wanted you to do was gamble. And even at that, you had a decent chance to come out ahead if you knew what you were doing. I learned basic strategy for Blackjack and I could sit at a table for hours and hours with just a $100 stake.
I mostly liked playing the quarter slots. With real quarters. They'd give you pails to keep your quarters in and nothing better than winning even a small jackpot and scooping all those quarters out of the tray. I think they still have some of those machines on Fremont Street. Everyplace else pays out with those paper vouchers and to me, that's not nearly as much fun. I miss the sound of those coins spilling into the trays.