Another mea culpa. In a recent post I said, “Happiness is positive cash flow. Ours not theirs!”
I’m updating that to, “Happiness is positive cash flow. Ours and theirs,” with apologies to all the — well, many — casino operators presently bleeding money like a river.
We need you to be here. We need you to make a profit.
Without you, there are no games, no fabulous meals, no outlandish and unforgettable shows, no wild nights, no parties till dawn. I don’t hate to say it; in fact, I admit it readily: We need you.
So please, for God’s sake, get it together! Bring back the value and not for a week, but ALWAYS.
And then there’s the other underappreciated group, slot players, the backbone where all, or at least the vast majority, of the profits lie.
Every day, you come to Vegas to play, to drink, to forget for as long as the cash holds out (and hopefully you don’t go to the casino ATM and drain that, too, chasing losses) and for that I want to thank you. Also, thanks for being okay that you most often lose. Are you? I like to think that you’re happy with your gaming experience and the comps that go along with it.
So please, keep feeding the Benjamins into the slot maw, because without you, we couldn’t squeeze out the advantages. There’d be no advantages to squeeze. You allow us to do what we do. And thank you. Really. Keep playing Golden Dragons, Buffalos, and Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Big Money Mega Tower Super Spin. Whatever.
I love Vegas. It’s unique. Yes, I have a local casino, but I don’t go there. I feel captive.
I like the depth and breadth of Vegas. The back alleys, the places where the club girls hang out afterwards, Ellis Island at 3 a.m. for steak and eggs under $10. I like searching, experimenting, treasure hunting all kinds of experiences only Vegas can provide, from rubbing shoulders with Bruno Mars to Rainbow’s Triple B Diner in Henderson.
So thank you, slot players; without you, I couldn’t do what I do. And thank you, casinos, for letting us, the weird 2%ers, the advantage players and even the wannabe APs, the scufflers or even just the well-read, give it our best shot at near full pay. Sure, we often lose, too, but at least we have a fighting chance of winning and can still have as good a time as the slot players.
Casino operators, I know you read this. Many of you have told me so. So do the slot players, the APs, the scufflers, and yourselves a big favor and get your friggin’ act together, okay? Bring back the value. Make NRF (no resort fees) and free parking as common next year as free drinks, free spectacles, and free play are this year. And please, dump triple zero.
You’ll still get our dollars if we feel like you’re giving us a shot. If you do, we’ll be back. In droves. Trust me. I’m Bobby Vegas and I approve this message.
We can only hope they listen to you this time…and yes, I’m an unapologetic slot player who loses every trip but would gladly frequent Vegas more often if the gouge wasn’t such a slap in the face to the customers.
100%! Vegas suffers from your typical corporatism, which is obsessive about growth, profit, and monetizing every little thing they can. It’s not like the casino hotel resorts don’t make money, or didn’t make money before “The Gouge” took hold. They appear to believe that they just don’t make enough money! I am Canadian and have been a consistent yearly visitor for years. I know Vegas better than any other city besides my home town. In the past 8 years I have seen the rise of the gouge and greed. 6:5 blackjack? What a 3:2 natural was just too risky? The odds are the odds, Mr Casino operator. The house always wins, even on true odds. Triple zero roulette? $55 resort fees? $35 cocktails?! I LOVE Vegas. But I am an average income earner. I like to gamble, but I can’t afford to gamble on The Strip anyone. Average income earners can’t afford The Strip. I mean, I love the Bellagio. I would like to play craps there. I can’t afford a $25 -$50 minimum bet. Only the rich can. I could go on and on. Vegas used to be a kick ass vacation with good deals offered to regular folks. It was literally an affordable weekend getaway. Now, it’s not. It’s a rip off. It’s the ultimate result of corporate greed and the disappointing thing is it’s not surprising at all. Bring back value!
You’ve got my vote.
Harrison you are absolutely correct Vegas used to be fun and I didn’t mind losing at craps and blackjack but the crazy minimum bets have taken away the fun of playing these games.
Agree 100% with all these comments and what a great article. I’ve been going to Vegas regularly for the past 27 years, loved every minute of it but good lord, the gouge is getting worse every year. Three zero roulette, walk right by them and make comments loud enough for the pit boss, dealers and any players to hear, “That’s a rip off, never playing that”, changing the pay tables on the VP; used to be able to play for hours on $100, no way that happens now, resort fees, parking fees, what’s next, towel and soap fees in your room? Stop with the greed or you’re going to price yourselves right out of business.
Absolutely! I used to get treated like a King at a certain off-strip Casino. Then there came the day that my Host didnt even bother to respond to my e mail asking for a certain number of days at his resort. I showed up anyways (after checking in elsewhere) and asked him what the deal was. His answer: “Things have changed.” No sh–? Well I’ll just go elsewhere then.
Thank you everyone for commenting. Yes we have to work harder. No I never stay on the strip. Yes places like Southpoint, Plaza, Four Queens, Rainbow still “Give Good gamble” and offer great deals. Using all the tricks from LVA MRB’s come backs , match plays, anything and everything is needed more than ever. And yet i keep finding ways and places to go. It requires a car or a lot of Uber but its worth it. 1) Get off the strip. Consider Summerlin or Henderson. I’m still staying at Downtown Grand for free but have shined on El Cortez and others as they shined me on.. Yes I’ve gone to AC, Biloxi, Foxwoods and now in my neck of the woods Danville and Cherokee but that’s not Vegas. Bottom line for me there is no place like Vegas. I’ll still find a way and some day the corporates will be replaced by smarter people like Jonathan Jossel at the Plaza, ( check that NYE deal asap !) or Souhtpoint. I’ll still go to weird places like Pinball Hall fo Fame or AREA 15. Or Little hole in the walls like ODDFELLOWS… or Chinatown then there is SRO at The Pinky RIng.. see you soon. Bobby