was 21, probably 18 or 19. At that time, the kid area was at the mezzanine level, which was a ring around the casino floor, at a mezzanine level, appropriately enough.

As with any circus, there is always a "Midway", a place for rides and games. For Circus-Circus, the "midway" was located around that ring. As with modern-day midways, the games always involve a small prize, a medium prize and a large prize. You would collect tickets and trade them in for a bigger (better) prize.

Prize units were the coin of the realm for prizes given out to kids.

If you watch the Bond movie 'Diamonds Are Forever' you will see Jill St. John on the Circus-Circus Midway playing the water balloon gun game. Well, as a kid, if you won a game, you got a prize unit. Win again, get another prize unit. Get 4 and win again, get a 5 prize unit and turn in the other 4.

Unfortunately, when I was there, I never had the money to play the games, so I do not have personal knowledge of what was used (chips or paper).

Incidentally, I recall being there during filming of 'Diamonds Are Forever'. The casino had a very large sign posted at the entrance that stated (in words to the effect of) by entering the casino, you consent to possibly appearing on film and you will not be paid for it. Just an unpaid extra! And No, cameras were not rolling when I was there.

Jim