What a way to begin the New Year. Southern California casinos are pulling out the stops and giving players what they want — more exciting winning ways! And we can’t think of a better way to begin the New Year than winning a brand new luxury car or cash. Most players go to the casino with dreams of winning big on slots or tables — and big jackpots do happen all the time. But there are more ways to win at the casino these days — many more. There are unbelievable offers for players club members — big cash and car giveaways, fantastic slot tournaments, and even worldwide travel — just to mention a few. As a casino player, my goal is to have the most fun at my favorite casinos every month, winning in all ways possible.

Giveaways are a monthly casino attraction, and Southern California casinos have some of the best. Open to all players club members, make sure you take advantage of these awesome promotions. And if you’re not a players club member, why not? Don’t let superstition or lack of information stop you from more ways to win. Casinos safeguard your information. It’s to their benefit to give players great values because they want to retain our loyalty and welcome new guests. To prove my point, look at these exciting January events and promotions at featured Southern California casinos that offer more 2012 winning ways.

At Spa Resort Casino from January 1st through February 4th make sure you get into the running in the Infiniti^® Reasons to Play Car & Cash Giveaway. You could win a 2012 Infiniti EX35 Journey Crossover or more than $20,000 in cash and free play. Paradise Reward Club members receive free entries daily and earn additional entries playing slots and table games. The Grand Prize Drawings will be held on Saturday, February 4th, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Spa Resort Casino just completed a new room remodel in its fantastic resort in the heart of Palm Springs, so this is a great time to spend a few days in the warmth of the sun and play at the Spa.

Barona Resort & Casino loves giving away cash, and is starting 2012 with a bevy of cash promotions. I’m making sure I’ll be at the Denim and Diamonds Power Party on Friday, January 27th from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., where players can win up to $2,000 every 20 minutes or $10,000 at 3 a.m. Put on your jeans and bling, and be at Barona for the pre-party from noon to 7 p.m. Barona’s generous Casino Managers will choose 50 guests to enter the Money Machine, play Blinko, or spin the Big Spin prize wheel. And as always, enjoy live entertainment and DJ hits throughout the day.

Famous for its awesome luxury car giveaways, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is giving everyone a chance to win a simply extraordinary automobile. In the Escape the Everyday Jaguar XF Giveaway, Fantasy Rewards members can swipe their Fantasy Rewards cards Sunday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., beginning January 22nd, to receive free drawing entries into the weekly qualifier drawings on Saturdays. Can you imagine? You could win a 2012 Jaguar XF in the Grand Prize Drawing on March 3rd! See the Fantasy Rewards Club for more information.

Sycuan Casino is beginning 2012 with a new adventure giveaway, Road to Riches. Travel the Road to Riches and win your share of $1,000,000 in prizes. An all new adventure begins every month. In January, it’s Road to Riches: Shanghai where you can win up to $2,500 cash or a trip to China during hourly drawings from 10 a.m. to midnight, every Monday. Earn 25 Club Sycuan points for your daily entry, and earn additional entries by playing slots, table games, bingo, or poker. Winners also receive a Golden Passport entry ticket for the year-end $100,000 grand prize drawing. Check with Club Sycuan for the details.

And don’t miss the $200,000 Ultimate Tailgate Party at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. A perfect football playoff season giveaway, win your share of up to $33,000 in cash and prizes every Sunday in January, from January 8th through January 29th. Paradise Rewards Club members earn entries every day, and earn 5 bonus entries for each 100 points. Plus, earn 4x entries Mondays and Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to midnight, and earn 100 bonus entries every Sunday from January 8th through January 29th, when you play from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop in early on Sundays and get an Ultimate Tailgate Party medallion from 9 a.m. to noon, and win free entries or up to $100 in Cash Play. Red Card holders win double the prizes. Plus, enjoy a complimentary buffet every Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. while supplies last. And when you text “Winner” to 818181, you could win more entries and $10 in Cash Play!

At Casino Pauma, check out the fantastic racing-themed giveaway that keeps giving throughout the month. Win your share of $150,000, including a 2012 Dodge Charger SE with paid tax, title, and registration in the $150,000 Race to Riches! Beginning on December 26th, Palm Club members earn entries, with triple entries every Monday. On Wednesdays and Sundays, January 4th, 11^th, 15th, 18th, 22nd and 25th, win up to $5,500 cash. Two winners will be selected at each qualifying time at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. At 8 p.m., players will select cars and compete in two Preliminary Heats of 4 racers each. Each racer receives $500 cash, and the top two finishers move on to the final race, where 1st place wins $5,000 cash, 2nd place wins $4,000, 3rd place wins $2,000 and 4th place wins $1,500. Then, on Sunday, January 29th, four winners will be selected at each qualifying time. The sixteen winners will compete in four Preliminary Heats at 8 p.m., with four racers each. The winner of each Preliminary Heat wins $500 cash and $500 PaumaPlay, and moves to the final race. The other racers receive $250 cash and $500 PaumaPlay. In the final race, 4th place wins $2,500 cash, 3rd place wins $5,000 cash, 2nd place wins $7,500 cash, and 1st place wins the 2012 Dodge Charger SE with paid tax, title and registration!

And Valley View Casino & Hotel is giving away a 2012 BMW 328i on Tuesday, February 28th — and if you’re the lucky winner, Valley View Casino will pay all sales tax and licensing fees! In January, pick up your entries exclusively at the BMW of San Diego showroom at 5090 Kearny Mesa Road, or at the Mini of San Diego showroom at 5202 Kearny Mesa Road. Bring the entries to the Valley View Casino Players Club to be entered to win. You may redeem one entry daily. Valley View just gave away an Audi A4 in late December and has a habit of creating big winners!

And at Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort, on Thursday, January 10th, don’t miss Top Ten Drawings. All Total Rewards members receive one free drawing entry and can earn one additional entry for every 10 Base Reward Credits earned between 6 a.m. and 9:45 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., one name will be selected every 10 minutes to win $1,000 in slot play. Participants are eligible to win more than one of the $1,000 slot play prizes. Prize winners have until 11:59 p.m. on January 10th to claim their prizes. See Total rewards for all the details.

Make sure you check out all the January Players Club promotions on pages 30 and 33, for these 2012 winning ways are a just a few of the opportunities to win more at the casino at the beginning of 2012.