My Visit to WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma
When most people think of America, they picture tapping a card or using Apple Pay for almost everything. But during a recent visit to WinStar World Casino, just across the Texas border in Oklahoma, I discovered one place where cash is still very much king.
We were staying in Texas and made the short drive north across the state line into Oklahoma, where gambling is legal. WinStar is the largest casinos in the world and attracts visitors from across the southern United States.
A Surprisingly Cash-Based Economy
Walking through the casino, one thing became immediately obvious. Although cards are accepted in restaurants, hotels and shops, the casino floor itself runs almost entirely on cash.
If you want to play the slot machines, you simply insert US dollar notes directly into the machine. Most accept $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and even $100 bills, making it quick and easy to get started.
Unlike the old days of collecting handfuls of coins, everything is now ticket-based.
From Cash to Voucher… and Back Again
When you’ve finished playing, or if you’re lucky enough to win, the slot machine prints a cash-out voucher showing exactly how much your credits are worth.
Take that voucher to one of the redemption kiosks or a cashier, and you’ll receive your winnings in cash.
It’s a simple system:
1. Insert your cash into the machine.
2. Play the game.
3. Press Cash Out when you’re finished.
4. Collect your printed voucher.
5. Redeem it for cash.
If you decide you want to continue playing, you can even insert the voucher straight into another machine instead of collecting cash first.
Have some cash before you go
One thing this trip reinforced for me is that it’s always worth travelling with a reasonable amount of local currency.
Although ATMs are available throughout the casino, withdrawing cash overseas can mean paying bank fees, poor exchange rates or both.
Buying your US dollars before you leave the UK often gives you better control over your travel budget and lets you compare rates from different providers to find the best deal.
At besttravelmoney.com, that’s exactly what we help people do every day.
Gamble Responsibly
Casinos are designed to be entertaining, and WinStar certainly delivers on that front. Whether you’re playing the slots or simply soaking up the atmosphere, it’s important to remember that gambling should always be enjoyable and never seen as a way to make money.
Set yourself a budget, stick to it, and treat any winnings as a bonus rather than an expectation.
After all, the real win is enjoying the experience without any nasty surprises.
Mark Austin, Co-Founder of besttravelmoney.com
July 26