In the California Casinos forum there is a discussion about a policy change at Harrah's Rincon -- which operates under the Caesars Total Rewards program.

Starting about June 10th, when you download a free play offer onto your account at a machine, you will have only 72 hours to play it -- or you lose it.

Previously, Rincon allowed free play to be "banked" or "stored" in player accounts for 30 days.

Clearly this is an effort to cut back on players who have their friends swipe their cards to download free play that will be used on a future visit.

What are the policies at other casinos for using free play?

At Caesars Palace where I play when you redeem a free play offer you are given either slot tickets which have an expiration date -- and the date could be six months or longer in the future. For table game free play there can be promo chips with no expiration date, or coupons which do have an expiration date, usually for only a few days.

Do you bank your free play or use it as you get it?