I remember casino rate rooms for players, and casino comps on rooms but like you said it's now free or rack rate. However it isn't as difficult to get rooms as you think with perhaps the exception of a Saturday night.

I too was on a full comp (RFB) Room food and beverage. They also had a (RLFB) Room, limited food and beverage. That is all gone just about everywhere in A/C that I know off.
We used to get $100 a day for room service and $160 for meals now I bring a PB&J on whole wheat an Orange and a container of milk in a brown paper bag
Play now all day and you still won't earn enough for a decent meal