Originally posted by: Tim Murtaugh
A lot of thoughts come to mind on this issue:
1) do away with the Resort Fees. If my room is $89 a night, tell me. Don't say it's $20...+ $69 in taxes/fees/surcharges. Just the thought of that is insulting.
2) at check in give every visitor a book of coupons. They may not use many, or any. But will tell others when they return the hotel did it.
3) loosen up the slot machines, a LOT. When it's 106 outside in the afternoon, no one's going for a walk down the Strip. If they win a $900 jackpot, they'll likely put it all back in, and more. But will remember to tell friends when they return about that $900 win.
4) no more 6:5 blackjack. People have been on to that for a long time anyway. And if there are $10 tables, doesn't mean a player can't bet $25, $50+ on every hand.
5) one complimentary beverage (soda) in the in room fridege won't bankrupt them. But it will help create more goodwill. And if there's anything those hotels need now, it's that.
6) Lastly, have one restaurant, at least, with great food. And if it's really great, people are much more apt to stay on the property longer (and bet more).
Tim
Good thoughts, Tim. My take:
1) Since the primary reason for resort fees--deception--is gone since the Biden bill passed, they should abolish them altogether. Pretty dumb for them to have a policy that alienates customers but doesn't produce any profit.
2)Studies have shown that the casino recoups several times the cost of coupons. Ditto free play. The goal used to be, get people in the door and butts in the chairs, even if you have to give a little to do it.
3) A 97% return slot makes more money than a 90% slot. The old-time operators knew this. ToD (Time on Device) is everything.
4) I can only explain the success of high-limit shitjack by considering the average goober's complete mathematical illiteracy. We deal you $15 shitjack, and every time you get a natural, we reach out and snatch $4.50 from you. That amounts to a $13.50 toll every hour. No one should deal it or play it.
5) The cost of a free soda would be what, fifty cents? Put a couple in the fridge and quit trying to make every single thing the customer does and uses a profit center. Charge $1 more for the room if you can't bear the thought of giving anything away.
6) Not to be a broken record, but in the good old days, that was exactly the case. Every joint had at least one iconic restaurant, be it a coffee shop, buffet, or goomay steak house. Seems like they knew that it would make people stick around longer (duh!), which should be the ultimate goal (double duh!).
Any casino operating under these simple "feet through the doors, butts in the chairs" principle would make an absolute killing.
