Harrah’s Treasure Hunt Dangles $1 Million

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? Not necessarily.

One participant chasing down clues in the latest Harrah’s Operating Co. Treasure Hunt promotion will take home $1 million.

Harrah’s is out with its latest treasure hunt, this time hiding clues leading to the big prize in its casino’s along the glitzy Las Vegas Strip instead of in the dusty desert like in past treasure hunts.

Beginning last week, players at 27 properties—’s, Caesars, The Flamingo, Harrah’s, Harveys, Paris and Rio brands— vie for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas. Three winners from each casino will head to Sin City to compete in the April 23 Search the Strip for $1 million Treasure Hunt. Clues will be stashed in a series of treasure chests scattered throughout the Strip at six Harrah’s casinos.

The promotions vary depending on state regulations. For example, at Harrah’s Ak-Chin in Maricopa, AZ, every Sunday and Wednesday (promotional days) Total Rewards members can swipe their cards to receive a free “Winfinder” Treasure Chest. (Customers can sign up for Total Rewards to get a Winfinder). A certain number of Winfinders will light up, signifying a winner. Winning Winfinders can be redeemed for between $5 and $5,000 in cash or Bonus Reward Credits.

The treasure chests are filled with a minimum of two free gifts and an eBay gift card. Larger prizes include cash, a diamond necklace or the chance to hunt for the $1 million in Las Vegas. (Some sites prizes include Southwest Airlines tickets).

Customers will receive one free entry into the March 26 finalist drawing each promotional day. Guests can earn additional entries via play throughout the promotional period.

Southwest Airlines and eBay have signed as prize contributors. EBay is hosting its own online instant-win promotion at Treasurehunt.ebay.com. A click on the “play” button brings up eBay merchandise and the eBay “it” icon, which automatically appears in treasure chests. When the game stops, if the icons match in three treasure chests, the player is a winner. Each game play gets players an entry into a second chance sweepstakes for an opportunity to compete in the treasure hunt. Two grand-prize winners get a two-night trip for two to Las Vegas, with the winners getting a chance to compete in the treasure hunt. Sixteen first prizes are a two-night trip for two to Las Vegas. The instant-win games ends March 26. Strobe Promotions, Hicksville, NY, handles.

Harrah’s promoted the hunt via mailings to Total Rewards members as well as on-site signage.

This is the third time Harrah’s has run the treasure hunt. In previous games, the players searched for clues in the Nevada desert.

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