As a way to boost traditionally slow December business, several Strip casinos offer extra benefits that can only be collected in December -- but are based on year-round action. For example, if you played at Paris or Bally's anytime this year, you earned (along with your normal points) special holiday bonus points that may now be redeemed for additional cash before they expire on Dec. 25.

New York-New York, MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mirage and Treasure Island are all conducting their annual Holiday Gift Shoppe from Sunday through Dec. 4. Throughout the year, MGM Mirage Players Club members received one point (and sometimes two points) with every Players Club point earned at any of the above properties. Each Holiday Shoppe offers a (pretty much identical) selection of electronics, cameras, toys, sporting goods, jewelry and watches. For more exact details and rules, as well as a complete catalog of items, go to www.holiday giftshoppecatalog.com.

The Aladdin's Dream Bazaar runs Dec. 8-14. Since May 1, Club Aladdin members have been earning one Dream Bazaar point for every 15 points earned on their card. As with the two promotions above, you can only redeem your points at the casino.

On Sunday, all Gold Coast and Suncoast bingo players will receive a free Holiday Treasures Gift box containing five holiday ornaments.

Mermaids, a small casino located on Fremont Street has joined the gas-card giveaways. Players get a $20 Chevron gas card when they hit a $200 jackpot or higher on any machine.

Texas Station hosts the "Girls Night Out" Poker Tournament every Sunday night. There is a $25 buy-in with $10 re-buys the first hour. Players have a choice of three tables, each with a different prize money distribution setup.

Three times every evening (5:20 pm, 8:20 pm and 9:20 pm) Binion's draws four winners to spin a special prize wheel and win up to $500, plus all winners are invited back Dec. 16-17 for two free nights and a shot at $25,000. Players can earn tickets at the slots, tables, live keno and the race and sports book or by eating in the restaurant or staying in the hotel.

Bonus Point Days: Cannery (American Can Club): 5x Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5x Saturdays 6 a.m.-6 p.m. (some machines excluded); Casino MonteLago (Club Uno): 4x Sundays (reels only), 2x Mondays-Thursdays (all machines); Casino Royale (Club Royale): 2x 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 8-11 p.m., 3x 7-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.; Eldorado (Prime Rewards): 6x today through Sunday; Ellis Island (Passport Players Club): 2x Saturdays-Thursdays, 5x Fridays (some machines excluded); Fiesta Henderson (Amigo Club): 5x Fridays (must swipe card through kiosk); Fiesta Rancho (Amigo Club): 5x Mondays 5-10 p.m., 5x Fridays (must swipe card through kiosk); Gold Strike (Jean's Cash and Comp Club): 2x Tuesdays; Golden Nugget (24 Karat Club): 2x Wednesdays and Fridays for Las Vegas locals only ($1 and up video poker excluded); Hacienda (Club Matador) 4x Tuesdays; Jokers Wild (Prime Rewards): 4x Thursdays, 6x today through Sunday; Nevada Landing (Jean's Cash and Comp Club): 2x Tuesdays; Nevada Palace (Players Circle): 2x Tuesdays, 8x cashback Fridays (limit $1,000 per day); Railroad Pass (Players Junction): 2x Wednesdays, 3x Thursdays; Rampart (Club Rampart): 2x Tuesday; Sam's Town (Prime Rewards): 6x today through Sunday; Slots A Fun (One Club): 2x Wednesdays; Terrible's (Players Club): 5x Sundays and Thursdays, 2x cashback Sundays-Wednesdays; Tuscany (Players Club): 2x Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5x Wednesdays (some machines excluded); Wildfire (Wild Card): 5x Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; Wild Wild West (Wild Card): 5x Thursdays.

The Player's Edge appears Fridays in Neon. E-mail Jeffrey Compton and Bob Dancer at jeffrey.compton@compdance. com.