I remember, upon my first trip to Las Vegas many years ago, seeing a circle of slot machines surrounding a sexy, shiny red Corvette, on top of which was a flashing neon sign that screeched:
"WIN THIS CAR!"
Last week, driving from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Durango, Colorado, I passed three casinos who tried to lure customers through their doors with a flashing neon sign that screeched:
"WIN FREE GAS FOR LIFE!"
A true sign of the times. A sad one. Gas pumps have replaced sports cars as status symbols, it seems. Commodity trumps frivolity.
Coming soon to a casino near you: "Win Free Food For Life"