In a town known for its close-knit community and warm hospitality, the Pahrump Nugget, part of Golden Entertainment, has brought a wave of excitement to Pahrump through an unprecedented promotion that has already changed lives—by giving away three brand-new cars.
At the heart of this initiative is Eliot Ripoll, the General Manager and Vice President of Golden Entertainment’s Pahrump Casinos. Based in Pahrump, Ripoll has been instrumental in launching the car giveaway event, a first-of-its-kind promotional campaign that began in early 2024. His dedication to the local community and passion for innovation in customer engagement shine through every detail of the program.
“We’re always thinking of ways to give our guests something exciting,” Ripoll said. “With the economy being what it is—car prices and payments rising—we thought, why not give away something that’s a real benefit to people? A car is not just a prize; it’s a life changer.”
And a life changer it has been. On Friday, March 28, at 8:30 p.m., the third and final car of this initial giveaway series was awarded to Tammy Winters. Her win capped off a three-month run of giveaways that were carefully planned and executed with community impact in mind.
Tammy joins the ranks of two other lucky winners: Kimberly Winters, who drove away with a new vehicle in January, and Jairo M., who won the February drawing. Each of these individuals walked into the casino hoping for a fun evening and left with a major new asset—without having to pay a dime to enter.
The concept for the giveaway was born out of regular team brainstorming sessions, where the Pahrump Nugget’s staff members gather to dream up new promotions that resonate with guests. Ripoll explained that this time, they wanted to aim higher. After crunching the numbers and assessing what was feasible, the idea of giving away one car per month for three months emerged as a realistic and exciting opportunity.
“We’ve seen growth here,” Ripoll said, referring to Pahrump’s increasing visitor numbers and loyal customer base. “Our clientele is amazing. They support us, they keep our lights on, and we wanted to do something meaningful in return.”
Partnering with local dealership Saitta Trudeau was the next step. The dealership offered competitive pricing and support to help make the giveaways a reality. “They’ve been phenomenal,” Ripoll said, mentioning the dealership’s general enthusiasm and willingness to collaborate.
While the initial campaign was capped at three vehicles, the success of the program has inspired Golden Entertainment’s Pahrump Casinos to think bigger. “Next month, we’re giving away golf carts—one here and one at Lakeside,” Ripoll revealed. “And we’re already brainstorming the next big prize. If something works, you build on it.”
So how does it all work?
Guests enter the drawing by earning 500 base points in a single day using their players club card. Every time a guest earns those points, they receive one entry into the drawing, with no maximum limit. “The more you play, the more entries you get,” Ripoll explained. But participation doesn’t require guests to be actively gambling at the time of the drawing. As long as they’re present in the casino, have checked in at one of the designated machines, and have earned entries during the month, they’re eligible to win.
This accessibility and transparency are key to the promotion’s appeal. To make check-ins seamless, The Pahrump Nugget even designated two new machines on the casino floor specifically for guest check-ins.
Importantly, Ripoll emphasized that all existing promotions and drawings remained untouched. “We didn’t take anything away to do this,” he said. “This was added on top. It’s an extra thank-you to our loyal guests.”
The promotion has also brought an unexpected bonus: diversity among winners. Ripoll noted that the winners so far have come from different backgrounds and age groups, showing that the process is fair and the outcome genuinely up for grabs. “That’s the beauty of it,” he said. “Anybody who walks in has a chance.”
Of course, giving away a car raises natural questions about taxes, but Ripoll was quick to clarify the details. Unlike jackpot winnings, which are taxed as income, the cars are considered gifts. Winners are responsible for paying the necessary taxes and fees at the dealership, just as they would if they were purchasing a vehicle themselves. However, it does not count as W-2 income, making the tax impact significantly lighter than a standard cash prize.
“We always get asked about taxes, and it’s a fair question,” Ripoll said. “But this is treated as a gift. Winners fill out a W-9 form, not a W-2. It’s a manageable obligation, and for most people, it’s well worth it.”
There’s even flexibility for winners who might prefer not to take the car. In some cases, winners have the option to accept a cash equivalent instead. Signing up to participate is free. Anyone over 21 can join the casino’s rewards program, which also allows members to accumulate points not just through gaming, but through dining and even bingo. For every dollar spent on dining, members earn 15 points. Bingo players earn three points per dollar. The only area not tied into the program is the sportsbook, which is operated independently by William Hill.
Beyond the logistics and planning, what stands out most is Ripoll’s genuine enthusiasm for the people he serves. He speaks of Pahrump residents with admiration and appreciation, describing them as “hardworking” and “kind-hearted.” His tone shifts slightly when he talks about what this giveaway means on a human level.
“I’ve worked in this industry a long time,” he said. “And there’s something really special about being able to give back in a way that can truly impact someone’s life. Winning a car might mean getting to work more easily, taking your kids to school safely, or just feeling a little more secure. That’s powerful.”
He added that even though the giveaway is over for now, the energy it created in the casino is something the team wants to maintain. On drawing nights, the atmosphere is electric. Guests come in early, grab a bite to eat, and settle in to see if their name will be called. “It’s a great vibe,” Ripoll said. “People are smiling, they’re excited. That’s the kind of environment we want to foster.”
Ultimately, the car giveaway reflects more than just a smart promotional campaign. It’s a symbol of Golden Entertainment’s Pahrump Properties’ commitment to the Pahrump community, and a reminder that when local businesses and residents support each other, remarkable things can happen.
“It’s about more than business,” Ripoll said. “It’s about being part of something bigger, and lifting each other up when we can.”
