New Year, New Updates
I did plan to take a blog break over the holiday season, but I didn’t think it would end up being so long.
In the photo below of our family’s Buffalo-plaid Christmas celebration, you won’t see the intruder that disrupted our lives the following two weeks. It’s invisible
Yes, unbeknownst to us, COVID was there and it attacked every adult who hadn’t been infected previously, despite all of us being fully vaccinated. Brad and I are just finishing our 10-day isolation period. He had no symptoms, but I got hit pretty hard and am still battling residue upper respiratory infections and bronchitis.
But no matter how bad I feel, I still “rest” a lot at my desk chair. And my computer keeps me connected to the outside world, including important casino news that may affect many of readers here.
TAXES
First, a lot of you are beginning to work on your 2021 tax returns and wondering if the 4th edition (eBook) of Tax Help for Gamblers will still be a good resource. There was no major federal legislation last year that required updates. The IRS clarified some cybercurrency regulations, so anyone with concerns about crypto should check with a tax professional. A change in one state’s law will make some taxpayers happy: Michigan residents can now claim a state-income-tax deduction for gambling losses they claim on their federal tax return. The law is effective for the 2021 tax year and beyond.
RESOURCES
Sadly, with the death of Darryl McEwen, we’ve lost “Seven Stars Insider,” the valuable resource for CZR players. However, I’m hoping that more VP players will join or re-join and participate more at vpFREE, which had to move to another site. (Subscribe at their new home.) We all need to help our fellow players by sharing information about VP conditions wherever we play. And vpFREE2 is still actively providing information about where the most generous games can be found, players club data, and other details from casinos all over the country.
Scot Krause still maintains the valuable Players Club Bonus Points list here on this website. He also continues to provide information on good casino promotions in “Vegas Values” on the American Casino Guide website, but now with a new once-a-month format on the second Sunday of each month beginning on January 9. The ongoing promotions page will be updated throughout the year.
Mark’s Las Vegas covers Vegas news and sometimes gives updated information about the MGM players club. Recently he posted that they were extending the Tier Credit-earning period for 2022 status by 31 days. They will count any Tier Credits earned in January 2022 toward both 2022 and 2023 status.
MGM
Speaking of MGM, I’m seeing a lot of online chatter about major changes in the players club at MGM properties and there seems to be utter confusion about what’s new and when and where the changes will come. Evidently, some changes started in November and some will be coming February 1. I haven’t played at a MGM property for many years, so I don’t have the experience to know the impact of these changes, and unfortunately, their website gives conflicting and often incomplete information.
Here are some of the details I’ve heard from experienced MGM players and internet sources, with some good news, but more disappointing downgrades. The new player loyalty system, now called MGM Rewards, will be universal at all properties instead of differing from those in Las Vegas and other regional areas. The five tier levels remain the same: Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, Platinum and NOIR, with only the threshold for reaching Pearl reduced. Tier credits for non-gaming spend (food, lodging, etc.) have been drastically reduced. Players in the company’s sports betting and igaming system, BetMGM, can now earn rewards and tier credits.
There are too many changes for me to cover here, so I’ll give you several links that will keep you busy for many hours of study. Don’t forget to check the Q+A’s sections, which sometimes explain things more in detail.
The change that will hit video poker players the hardest is this phrase that appears over and over again: “Adjusting the way we calculate, basing it on your time played, average bet amount, and GAME TYPE. (Caps are my emphasis!)
https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mgm-rewards-is-coming-countdown.html
https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mlife-rewards-program/point-calculation-change.html
https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mlife-rewards-program/loyalty-program-changes.html
For those who coordinate with the Hyatt loyalty program, you’ll find more change info here.
FINAL GROAN
Whenever I see a casino wax eloquent about their new players club:
When we set out to reimagine our rewards program, we listened to your feedback and we did it to give you more …
To reward you appropriately we are adjusting …
We’ve completely reinvented the opportunities to reward you by …
I’m never excited … just sad!