I’m not a gambler. The sound of the pokies doesn’t excite me, and watching people gamble away their money isn’t my idea of fun. Sure, people believe they’re hitting big wins, but are they really counting all the money they’ve fed into those machines? Casinos and pokie lounges have a way of drawing you in with freebies like tea, coffee, vouchers, and parking. And I have to admit, that’s exactly why I went to the casino.
My mum told me about SkyCity’s membership deal: spend $10 in one of their cafes or restaurants, and you get free parking at the Adelaide Festival Centre. Plus, when you swipe your card upon entry, you get a $10 credit to use in those cafes and restaurants. It sounded like a win-win … free drink and free parking!
So, I joined Mum at the casino to sign up for a membership. It was a quick and easy process, and soon we were enjoying our free perks. Since then, I’ve visited a few more times, purely to take advantage of the benefits. I still have absolutely no interest in the pokies or gambling. If I’m going to invest money, I’d much rather put it into shares.
This experience was a reminder that sometimes it’s worth exploring opportunities outside your usual preferences. While the casino isn’t a place I’d typically go for entertainment, the perks made it a worthwhile visit. Plus, it was another unique adventure to add to my “50 before 50” challenge.