The Mirage is set to close for good on July 17. Before the casino closes, it must pay its guests approximately $1.6 million from its current progressive jackpots.

Between July 9 - 16, 2024, The Mirage will run a promotion that will distribute about $1.2 million from progressive slot machines and another $400,000 from table game jackpots. This is more than a nice gesture by Hard Rock. It’s also a requirement from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).

Hard Rock International purchased The Mirage in 2022. Earlier this year, the company announced it would close the iconic casino resort so it could begin a major overhaul of the property.

These are the last days of The Mirage and the first steps towards the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas.

The Mirage Progressive Finale Cash Giveaway

The Mirage “Progressive Finale Cash Giveaway” will take place from July 9 through July 13 and again on July 16. During this final promotion, The Mirage will distribute approximately $1.6 million to guests playing slot machines and table games.

Winning a piece of the progressive jackpots from The Mirage is as easy as grabbing a seat and playing a slot machine or table game. However, this isn’t available to all players all day and night.

Progressive Hot Seat Cash Drawings

Simply play any slot machine with the current Unity Rewards card inserted into a slot machine during each drawing period. This will enter players into a drawing for a chance to win a share of $1.2 million in cash.

The slot machine drawing periods are:

Drawings are every hour from 3 pm - 7 pm during the following days

• July 9 - 11: $200,000 in Cash prizes guaranteed each day
• July 12 - 13: $250,000 in Cash prizes guaranteed each day
• July 16: $100,000 in Cash prizes guaranteed

The Mirage will randomly select one winner every hour. This person will have just five minutes to identify themself at the Unity Players Club. If they do not make the five-minute deadline, The Mirage will draw another until there’s a winner.

The person will receive a voucher to cash at The Mirage cashier. Since the casino is closing on July 17, all winners must claim their prize by July 16, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

Progressive Table Games Cash Drawings 

The $400,000 table game drawing is different than its slot machine counterpart. For starters, guests must play a “qualifying table game” with their Unity Rewards card. This is available to almost all table games at The Mirage besides craps and roulette.

Second, this will take place for longer periods of the day - from 11 am - 7 pm. Lastly, this promotion is only on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13. The drawings will take place at 8:30 pm on July 12 and 13.

It should be noted that there’s a 90-minute gap from the end of qualifying. Anyone interested in collecting a prize must be present for the drawing. Similar to the slot drawing the winner must identify themself within five minutes or another name will be drawn.

Why The Mirage Must Pay Out Progressive Jackpots

When a casino closes in the Silver State, the NGCB requires the operator to pay out all progressive jackpots. Regulation 5 from the NGCB states:

“the incremental amount of a progressive payoff schedule is an obligation to the licensee’s patrons, and it shall be the responsibility of the licensee if the licensee ceases operation of the progressive game or slot machine for any reason, including a transfer of ownership of the licensed gaming establishment, to arrange for satisfaction of that obligation in a manner approved by the Chair.”

Progressive jackpots are made up of money from player losses. This money must be distributed back to players before closing.

If The Mirage wasn’t a standalone operator it could disburse the jackpots at another property. However, that’s not the case and old player losses will be paid out to the final slot machine and table game players.

Looking Back At The First Jackpot At The Mirage

The Mirage opened on Nov. 22, 1989. Shortly after the casino opened a player won a $4.6 million slot machine jackpot. At the time this was the largest slot machine jackpot in Las Vegas history.

Elmer Sherwin, a 76-year-old retiree, hit Megabucks for $4.6 million. According to PBS, he started with $80 and “borrowed $20 from his ex-wife to feed the $1 slot machine.” He took home the big win after just 90 minutes of play.

Amazingly, Sherwin hit Megabucks again in 2005. The Las Vegas Sun reports that Sherwin took home $21.1 million from Sam’s Town.

Note: If you are in the state, you can play the Hard Rock casino NJ today.