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Press Release: Boyd's B Connected Comes to Downtown LV

#1

`B CONNECTED´ COMES TO DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
- New Players Card Links California, Fremont, Main Street to Boyd Gaming
Casinos Nationwide -

LAS VEGAS - October 1, 2008-Downtown Las Vegas regulars have long enjoyed
the ability to earn and redeem rewards at the California, Fremont and Main
Street Station with a single players card. Starting today, Boyd Gaming´s
downtown customers will be able to take those benefits across the Las Vegas
Valley and the country.

Boyd Gaming´s three downtown Las Vegas properties today launched "B
Connected," a consolidated players club program that unites the California,
Fremont and Main Street Station with Boyd Gaming-owned properties across the
country, including the Company´s four Las Vegas locals properties (The
Orleans, Suncoast, Sam´s Town and Gold Coast). B Connected replaces "Players
Gold," the card previously used by the three downtown properties; [all
benefits earned under Players Gold will automatically roll over into
customers´ new B Connected accounts.]

B Connected gives members the opportunity to earn and redeem points at Boyd
Gaming properties across the country with a single card, offering great
incentives for both slot and table game players. Cardholders will qualify
for one of three tiers (Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald), each offering an
increasingly attractive series of services and benefits.

"B Connected takes an already great players card to a whole new level," said
Paul Chakmak, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Boyd
Gaming. "With one card, our Las Vegas regulars will be able to earn and
redeem benefits at both our downtown and our locals casinos. And while we
know many of our

Hawaiian customers make our downtown properties their home away from home,
we think they´ll welcome the
opportunity to be rewarded for their play at four additional Las Vegas
resorts, as well as our casinos across the country."

The launch of B Connected at the downtown Las Vegas properties marks the
final stage of the nationwide rollout of the program. In addition to the
three downtown Las Vegas properties, B Connected is available at six Boyd
Gaming casinos outside of Nevada: Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel in
Vinton, La., Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner, La., Sam´s Town Shreveport
(La.), Sam´s Town Tunica (Miss.), Blue Chip Casino Hotel in Michigan City,
Ind., and Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria, Ill. B Connected is also
interchangeable with the Club Coast card used at Boyd Gaming´s Las Vegas
locals properties.

About Boyd Gaming
Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a leading
diversified owner and operator of 16 gaming entertainment properties located
in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana. Boyd
Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news
and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com.

#2

Perhaps okay for locals, but this B connected program appears to be a
bad deal for tourists- even regular visitors to Las Vegas.

Old Coast formula of 20k thru for 3 months was easily doable , but
100k for 6 months is very tuff for most any frequent ( 4 - 6 times a
year)visitor - even dollar and up players.

My new ( Oct & Nov) Boyd offers do not include the usual 2x, 3X point
multipliers. Looks like all trips will be at 1% CB now.

`B CONNECTED´ COMES TO DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
- New Players Card Links California, Fremont, Main Street to Boyd Gaming
Casinos Nationwide -

LAS VEGAS - October 1, 2008-Downtown Las Vegas regulars have long

enjoyed

the ability to earn and redeem rewards at the California, Fremont

and Main

Street Station with a single players card. Starting today, Boyd Gaming´s
downtown customers will be able to take those benefits across the

Las Vegas

Valley and the country.

Boyd Gaming´s three downtown Las Vegas properties today launched "B
Connected," a consolidated players club program that unites the

California,

Fremont and Main Street Station with Boyd Gaming-owned properties

across the

country, including the Company´s four Las Vegas locals properties (The
Orleans, Suncoast, Sam´s Town and Gold Coast). B Connected replaces

"Players

Gold," the card previously used by the three downtown properties; [all
benefits earned under Players Gold will automatically roll over into
customers´ new B Connected accounts.]

B Connected gives members the opportunity to earn and redeem points

at Boyd

Gaming properties across the country with a single card, offering great
incentives for both slot and table game players. Cardholders will

qualify

for one of three tiers (Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald), each offering an
increasingly attractive series of services and benefits.

"B Connected takes an already great players card to a whole new

level," said

Paul Chakmak, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

for Boyd

Gaming. "With one card, our Las Vegas regulars will be able to earn and
redeem benefits at both our downtown and our locals casinos. And

while we

know many of our

Hawaiian customers make our downtown properties their home away from

home,

we think they´ll welcome the
opportunity to be rewarded for their play at four additional Las Vegas
resorts, as well as our casinos across the country."

The launch of B Connected at the downtown Las Vegas properties marks the
final stage of the nationwide rollout of the program. In addition to the
three downtown Las Vegas properties, B Connected is available at six

Boyd

Gaming casinos outside of Nevada: Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel in
Vinton, La., Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner, La., Sam´s Town Shreveport
(La.), Sam´s Town Tunica (Miss.), Blue Chip Casino Hotel in Michigan

City,

Ind., and Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria, Ill. B Connected

is also

interchangeable with the Club Coast card used at Boyd Gaming´s Las Vegas
locals properties.

About Boyd Gaming
Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a

leading

diversified owner and operator of 16 gaming entertainment properties

located

in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, and

Louisiana. Boyd

Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com.

Additional news

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "vpFae" <vpFae@...> wrote:

and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com.

#3

Whats interesting is that if you visit the B Connected site, they
updated their program overview section today. Under downtown casinos,
for the 2nd tier, it says:

"Just earn 30,000 tier points within at least 180 days (6 months) and
you've made it to Sapphire. At this level, you'll receive double
points on your rated slot play every day. Consider yourself well
connected."

3rd tier:

"This is our most exclusive level. Earn 200,000 tier points within at
least 180 days (6 months) and you've reached the Emerald status.
Experience your exceptional connection to triple points on your rated
slot play every day, VIP Hotel Check-In and Check-Out, Emerald Valet
Service, private invitations to special events, personal host
services, and that's just the beginning."

There are all kinds of asterisks for video poker points and play, but
I can't find what the notes are, although it does still say $1 = 1
point for VP players.

Perhaps okay for locals, but this B connected program appears to be a
bad deal for tourists- even regular visitors to Las Vegas.

Old Coast formula of 20k thru for 3 months was easily doable , but
100k for 6 months is very tuff for most any frequent ( 4 - 6 times a
year)visitor - even dollar and up players.

My new ( Oct & Nov) Boyd offers do not include the usual 2x, 3X point
multipliers. Looks like all trips will be at 1% CB now.

>
> `B CONNECTED´ COMES TO DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
> - New Players Card Links California, Fremont, Main Street to Boyd

Gaming

> Casinos Nationwide -
>
>
> LAS VEGAS - October 1, 2008-Downtown Las Vegas regulars have long
enjoyed
> the ability to earn and redeem rewards at the California, Fremont
and Main
> Street Station with a single players card. Starting today, Boyd

Gaming´s

> downtown customers will be able to take those benefits across the
Las Vegas
> Valley and the country.
>
> Boyd Gaming´s three downtown Las Vegas properties today launched "B
> Connected," a consolidated players club program that unites the
California,
> Fremont and Main Street Station with Boyd Gaming-owned properties
across the
> country, including the Company´s four Las Vegas locals properties (The
> Orleans, Suncoast, Sam´s Town and Gold Coast). B Connected replaces
"Players
> Gold," the card previously used by the three downtown properties; [all
> benefits earned under Players Gold will automatically roll over into
> customers´ new B Connected accounts.]
>
> B Connected gives members the opportunity to earn and redeem points
at Boyd
> Gaming properties across the country with a single card, offering

great

> incentives for both slot and table game players. Cardholders will
qualify
> for one of three tiers (Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald), each offering an
> increasingly attractive series of services and benefits.
>
> "B Connected takes an already great players card to a whole new
level," said
> Paul Chakmak, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
for Boyd
> Gaming. "With one card, our Las Vegas regulars will be able to

earn and

> redeem benefits at both our downtown and our locals casinos. And
while we
> know many of our
>
> Hawaiian customers make our downtown properties their home away from
home,
> we think they´ll welcome the
> opportunity to be rewarded for their play at four additional Las Vegas
> resorts, as well as our casinos across the country."
>
> The launch of B Connected at the downtown Las Vegas properties

marks the

> final stage of the nationwide rollout of the program. In addition

to the

> three downtown Las Vegas properties, B Connected is available at six
Boyd
> Gaming casinos outside of Nevada: Delta Downs Racetrack Casino

Hotel in

> Vinton, La., Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner, La., Sam´s Town

Shreveport

> (La.), Sam´s Town Tunica (Miss.), Blue Chip Casino Hotel in Michigan
City,
> Ind., and Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria, Ill. B Connected
is also
> interchangeable with the Club Coast card used at Boyd Gaming´s Las

Vegas

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "billvolk11" <billvolk11@...> wrote:

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "vpFae" <vpFae@> wrote:
> locals properties.
>
> About Boyd Gaming
> Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a
leading
> diversified owner and operator of 16 gaming entertainment properties
located
> in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, and
Louisiana. Boyd
> Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com.
Additional news
> and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com.
>

#4

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "proud2operaterides"
<proud2operaterides@...> wrote:

As "proud2" found on the B Connected website:

"Just earn 30,000 tier points within at least 180 days (6 months) and
you've made it to Sapphire.
3rd tier: Earn 200,000 tier points within at
least 180 days (6 months) and you've reached the Emerald status."
It does still say $1 = 1
point for VP players.

We haven't had a good Harrah's rant in awhile, and this may not be an
appropriate catalyst, but with Harrah's Diamond only $110,000 coin-in
on vp for 12 months (and admittedly likely to increase for 2009), it
seems to be a better deal than the Boyd Emerald. If I'm comparing
apples to apples, that is. As a downtown Boyd player, this appears to
me to be a big jump in play requirements even at the Sapphire level.

Drew

#5

I think there's a big difference, and not in Harrah's favor. That is
as long as Boyd keeps offering those 6x ponits on most holidays.

You would only need 33,334 points playing on those 6x points days
which is the equivalent of the Saphire status, but it gives you an
Emerald instead. How many 6x point days does Harrah's offer even in a
year....ZERO?

And while talking about Boyd/Coast, is it true their Coast card is
nopw accepted downtown?

#6

Don't know for sure, but I think only base points would be counted towards the various tiers?

JW

···

--- On Thu, 10/2/08, Robert Levine <stuckinvegas@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Robert Levine <stuckinvegas@yahoo.com>
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Press Release: Boyd's B Connected Comes to Downtown LV
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 9:32 AM
I think there's a big difference, and not in
Harrah's favor. That is
as long as Boyd keeps offering those 6x ponits on most
holidays.

You would only need 33,334 points playing on those 6x
points days
which is the equivalent of the Saphire status, but it gives
you an
Emerald instead. How many 6x point days does Harrah's
offer even in a
year....ZERO?

And while talking about Boyd/Coast, is it true their Coast
card is
nopw accepted downtown?

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#7

Don't know for sure, but I think only base points would be counted

towards the various tiers?

I'm quite sure you are correct. That's why they refer to them as "tier
points."

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, Jigger Woodruff <bayfieldkent@...> wrote:

#8

Don't know for sure, but I think only base points would be
counted towards the various tiers?

···

In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, Jigger Woodruff <bayfieldkent@..wrote:

=============================================
That's exactly what I was told when I inquired at the GC in July.
However, that visit preceeded the change to the B Connected
system, with higher tier requirements. So it is possible that
there has been a change.

~Babe~

#9

As a tourist, it looks like B-connected means that I will be taking it
in the B-hind.

Rick

#10

As a tourist, it looks like B-connected means that I will be taking

it

in the B-hind.

Rick

  You hit the nail on the head, I was thinking the same thing! I have
gotten some great comps from Boyd, but I think those days are gone!

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "smallfish_61" <rsmalley2@...> wrote:

#11

On the other hand, about 5 hours of quarter play at the Orleans in June
has generated offers of 3 free nights, $50 in free play and $50 in food
every month since that visit.

>
> As a tourist, it looks like B-connected means that I will be taking
it
> in the B-hind.
>
> Rick
>

  You hit the nail on the head, I was thinking the same thing! I

have

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "pumsparky" <dianalnagy@...> wrote:

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "smallfish_61" <rsmalley2@> wrote:
gotten some great comps from Boyd, but I think those days are gone!

#12

I think it's going to be any kind of points. I know they'll specify on
certain promotions at ST that multiplier points can not be used for
free jackets or shirts or whatever, but when it comes to upgrading
your card to a different status, I think you'll be able to ionclude
the mutiplied points.

#13

Boyd will alway have good comps and take care of their players. They
might cut them back once in a while if things get tough, but they'll
still be better than what you can get anywhere else.

#14

I was at the El Cortez recently, and inquired about their second tier
level which requires 6000 points per year. Since they have a lot of 2X
and 3X point multipliers, I asked specifically if these factored into
the '6000' point level. I was told "NO". In fact they could have made
it more clear by stating that it required $6,000 coin in to reach the
second level.

I would be shocked if this were not the case with 'B Connected'.

But to verify, I think every machine at the Fremont (and MMS & Cali. I
assume) tells you how many bonus points you have and how many tier
points you have.

Mike in Little Rock

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Robert Levine" <stuckinvegas@...> wrote:

I think it's going to be any kind of points. I know they'll specify on
certain promotions at ST that multiplier points can not be used for
free jackets or shirts or whatever, but when it comes to upgrading
your card to a different status, I think you'll be able to ionclude
the mutiplied points.