The holiday season is prime time for finding a low room rate in Las Vegas, and this year is no exception.

Last week the researchers at the Las Vegas Advisor canvassed every casino in town, looking for the best leads on lodging in December. The rates below are available either by consulting casino websites, using third-party reservations facilities or going through the travel portal at LasVegasAdvisor.com.

If you don’t use the internet, the list is a guide to potential low rates you can secure by phone.

Rates are higher during the National Finals Rodeo, Thursday through Dec. 14. Deepest discounts are available Dec. 15 to 24.

All told, 45 casinos have rooms going for less than $40 this year (base price; doesn’t include resort fees). Here’s the lineup (rates change often and are not guaranteed):

>> Under $20 Club: Circus Circus, Golden Gate, OYO and Texas Station

>> Under $30 Club: Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, Bally’s, Boulder Station, the D, Eastside Cannery, El Cortez, Ellis Island, Excalibur, Fiesta Henderson, Fiesta Rancho, Flamingo, Fremont, Gold Spike, LINQ, Longhorn, Luxor, Main Street Station, Plaza, Rio, Sahara, Silver Sevens, Stratosphere, Tropicana, Tuscany, Westgate and Wild Wild West

>> Under $40 Club: Arizona Charlie’s Decatur, Artisan, California, Downtown Grand, Four Queens, Gold Coast, Harrah’s, Hotel Apache, Orleans, Palace Station, Sam’s Town, Santa Fe Station, Serene and Sunset Station

>> High End: The pre-holidays also offer a great opportunity to stay at the more expensive casinos at bargain prices. The following all quoted mid-week rates of $85 or less: Hard Rock, TI, Palms, NY-NY, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Golden Nugget, Mirage, Paris, Planet Hollywood, Red Rock, Delano, Park MGM, Green Valley Ranch and Cromwell.

Question: Where will the tallest Christmas tree be this year?

Answer: As of now it’s planned for the Fremont Street Experience at 50 feet. That’s below last year’s 80-foot standard, but all the returns aren’t in yet.

For more information about current Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons, and good deals, go to LasVegasAdvisor.com.