the Paid Parking gouge..

Unless it's recently changed, EC doesn't charge resort fees on comped rooms, and I can't imagine any regular not getting comped. They have gotten stricter on the parking, I've been turned away several times during events.

And there's the real rub. I don't mind paying more if I think I'm getting some additional value in return. An 'enhanced parking experience'? I don't think so. They ask consumers to pay more...for what? Gouge is right. Might as well just ask us to bend over. Although MGM started this round, I really hope CET gets broken up in bankruptcy. Maybe we get some more competition on the strip.

He monopolies are my biggest gripe and cause of the downfall of vegas. When companies think you are out of options and "have" to use their services. Vegas is a luxury to begin with. Ask the NFL how their ratings are working out for them this year. Hmm, baseball, NHL and the sorts as well. If you think the world stops for you to think again. Hate to beat a dead horse, but the clintons! It was hers to lose and she lost it twice. I liked The clintons round one, do I see some of their failed policies thirty years later, yes. But I thought they were working hard, smart and altruistically. Don't ever think you have power and are all knowing.

I sure do miss the Las Vegas I visited in the 1980's and 1990's. Caesar's Palace before and after the ITT Sheraton takeover was night and day and it only got worse. I recently visited a casino in the middle of nowhere in Louisiana. It is amazing how they treat the average Joe Blow compared to Las Vegas.

Are customers gouging when the accept free rooms?

So you'll be vacationing in the middle of nowhere in Louisiana this year?

Yes, Vegas is not as much a bargain as it was 14 years ago when I first went. We'll probably go to Italy this year instead of Vegas.

Correct, there are not resort fees on comp'ed rooms, but comp'ed rooms are getting harder to come by. I've never had an issue showing a player card when entering the parking lot at the EC.

BTW - Scott Robin on Vital Vegas is predicting Wynn or Las Vegas Sands (Venetian) will file for bankruptcy protection some time in 2017.

At the time, I was a second level tier card at the EC. Went to valet and was told guests only. They sent me to the garage by the cabanas. There the guard told me third tier and higher only. They were having some festival on Fremont. Same thing a few weeks later. That was night Public Enemy did a video in the Trailer Park.

Folks, it's a big, big valley out there! If they want to run off customers, there are dozens of casinos that really want your business! For us, if we want to see a show or go to a top notch restaurant, we will. But paying to park won't happen very often for us. Nothing in video poker is as good as it once was. I recall playing fpdw at the Barbary Coast. Or 9/6 JoB at Caesar's. Or 10/6 or 9/7 JoB at the Stratosphere.
The only thing we can do is vote with our feet.....things are going to downgrade, because the idiots running the asylum are choking the crap out of the golden goose! My latest worry is Boyd. If you eliminate Boyd, CET, MGM and Stations there isn't a whole lot left. Would I like to see CET go under? Is tonight too soon? MGM? I cannot recall the last time I went into an MGM casino, to play.

It's a big valley, and if you have a car, why not explore a bit. We do.

Still some 100 percent games out there. Add in players clubs and mailings and one can do okay. I recently found a casino with NSUD44 that gives .3 cash back, nice mailings and a free pack of cigarettes any day you earn 1200 points. I don't smoke but can get $6 a pack all day for them., so it's about $9.60 return on $1200 in. Another that gives $20 a week in free play, and $10 in food just for signing up for a card.