Comments on: Are Casino Comps a Dying Breed?

By: ed press

ed press — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 21:43:20 +0000

I used to go out to the flamingo and play mid level blackjack. I would call my host and get my room and some food comped. Of course I would get a welcome basket when I checked in. That was in the early 2000’s. Then every thing changed. I called my host for a room and was told I could not get one. I asked why and he said my level of play was now too low. I asked him what my average bet was for my last visit and he said it was about $55 per bet for several hours per day for 6 or 7 days. He now wanted $100 minimum average bet for 4 hours minimum play per day. I decided at that point that I did not want to buy a room, just stay there! Now I still go there but use my mailing for 2 nights and get casino rates for the remainder. Sometimes I will stay off strip for several nights also. Those are fully comped. Life has changed!

By: Kathleen DeCosmo

Kathleen DeCosmo — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 19:42:05 +0000

Has anyone really taken a look around. We found that both in AC near where we live and in Las Vegas the video poker machines are always empty. All the regular video poker players, both high and low are gone. The players found that they just could only lose so much until they realize losing all the time is not gambling anymore.. it is losing.

Las Vegas especially is now catering to the younger party and drinking crowd that overrun the hotels. The music reflex this in it’s pumped up pounding music 24 hours a day.
This is what the casinos want which will make them eventually stop being casinos and just be one big night club!

Also I believe the average gambler had became very smart at choosing good machines and value games. The casinos are not interested in the Value Players anymore. That is what they call us in Atlantic City. There are not that many gamblers out there who can just throw money away week after week and keep losing at poor playing games.

By: gary murphy

gary murphy — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 14:43:44 +0000

i visit vegas 3 to 4 times a year. my host would always comp room and meals. my april 2013 visit changed, room was comp’d but they didn’t want to comp my meals that i charged to my room($120 total). my host had always told me to charge them to my room and she would take care of them upon checking out. this time i was told she could not do that because my play didn’t justify it. i only play vp in the $1 to $5 range and my play have not decease from previous trips. while planning a october trip i call the same host about booking a room. she then in formed me she would have to check to she if THEY?? would allow her to comp my room. she came back with 3 nights comp’d but i would not get the free play on the mailer i had received in the mail. i took 2 nights and stayed the other 3 nights down the strip all comp’d by my new host who had no problem with me coming and staying there. also my wife had been wanting to stay there so that was a plus. since then i have been staying there and playing there the last 2 trips. i won’t name the casinos but i went from the north end of the strip to the south end. sometime change is good.

By: Beverly Walker

Beverly Walker — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 00:54:15 +0000

For years we flew out to Vegas 3 times a year and always had free rooms for the 3 or 4 nights we stayed, even at the high-end hotels. Then we started noticing the bath giveaways were missing the sewing kits and toothbrushes. Then the buffets started cutting back on the choices and other meals became more and more expensive. The hotels quit giving you coupons when you checked in and free nights went to 2 free nights and now, with a beautiful new Indian casino an hour’s drive from our front door (closer than the airport!), we are reconsidering our Vegas trips. We were never looking for shopping sprees, cruises or tickets to shows. We just wanted to gamble, win a little and have a few good meals. Not much of a fun vacation when you can’t do that anymore.

By: George Bauslaugh

George Bauslaugh — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 22:38:46 +0000

Jean,

Great article that brought back many memories of the not so distant past. The whole idea of no “discretionary comps”, limited host authority, “resort fees” [for a casino???] and the complete loss of good games; has had a significant effect on gaming. I see few winners (even high dollar) in slots or table games. There used to be so many, people would play 2-3 Sizzling Seven Dollar slots, for hours on end. The dinners & events were magical and you got good value with your dollar.

No most revenue comes from non-gaming revenue and from what I have heard, gaming only accounts for about 1/3 of Vegas income. The town has pushed gamblers away: for $20 poolside drinks, $150-300 celebrity-chef dinners, $1,000++ bottle service, $500+ pool cabanas, $300 spa services, $50 dinner buffets, $175+ shows, $35 resort fees, and on & on.

The “New Vegas” is a very expensive place, the total bill could easily be a trip to Europe, Mexico, or the Caribbean. Thus gaming will continue the decline and the town needs to be careful of becoming another Atlantic City. I read recently that the $2.5 Billion Dollars Rivel, is now only valued at around $45 Million Dollars.

Perhaps there is a lesson here, for Vegas?

By: Ron

Ron — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:48:22 +0000

I saw this happening too in 2008 and appreciate your perspective as well. Multiple States see casinos as a surefire revenue generator but the pie can only be sliced so many times. There is growing competition for Las Vegas.

The mindset of the mid-2000’s has also changed and not to the casino’s advantage. Yes the Las Vegas casinos will still attract a significant crowd but many like myself no longer book based on the availability of comps but book a place based on the quality of the room, restaurant and experience. The main reason is the economy – it isn’t very good and not all people can be fooled by the talking heads propping up the politicians. Many see dark financial days ahead. I do. I think the casinos do and part of their tightening may be preparing for a financial slowdown.

The good times (big comps for reasonable play) may never return.

By: mary ingraffia

mary ingraffia — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:09:08 +0000

great article jean!! boyd has certainly jumped on this bandwagon. the constant swiping of the clubcard..the constant changing of multipliers..it’s very aggravating. I wonder if they want to DISCOURAGE us? the latest twist is multiple points between 9:00 PM and MIDNITE!! oh really? thought you were for the locals? guess some of us are out at that time…the other 90% are home.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:01:11 +0000

Nice article, I agree totally. Have found Vegas not to be the value vacation spot it once was. I really enjoyed “earning and playing the comps”. Now it is a sure thing that you will lose and most likely not get much back in the way of comps. Everything has gotten very pricey. I can afford to do anything I want, but must say, vegas has lost it’s luster for me. I only visit once a year now for 3 nights, used to go up to 4 times a year.

By: Dan Sowards

Dan Sowards — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:10:14 +0000

Jean, as we have discussed, as a Diamond and $1/quarter player at VP I still get some good comps at various Caesar’s properties, thanks to some good hosts. However, recently I’ve seen some additional tightening of the belt, Lake Tahoe being one. And of course, for those who are borderline Diamond, the increases (two) in the points needed to maintain their Diamond status may be too much/require too much gambling for their bankrolls. As you have always said, don’t overplay your bankroll just for comps. Caesar’s/Harrah’s still gives out free rooms, is lenient on the points when you check out (host give you much more than just the points are worth), we still get a free show every month, they still have drawings and tournaments (though, as you say, the lavish dinner/dance awards ceremonies are about gone). So, although some of the higher end amenities have about disappeared, there’s still plenty of comps out there if you know where to look.

By: Mark Vetanen

Mark Vetanen — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 05:01:23 +0000

A casino can only squeeze the players for so much before they simply stop coming back. Then revenue tanks and debts cannot be paid, and the shareholders start selling off the stock for pennies on the dollar. Soon enough the casino goes belly up, and a new group takes over with a whole new philosophy.

As casinos are now in overdrive to populate the world, Vegas will now have to compete with States legalizing gambling, more Indian casinos, and foreign casinos who will simply make an offer to the Vegas Whales that they cannot resist. Already the Canadian casinos are flying elite players from east cost area to their local casinos. It is only time before we see cheap flights to out of the country casinos for all levels of players. Might even see gambling on the flight itself!

I predict that Las Vegas will take a hard look at itself, give the bean counters the Bum’s rush, and bring in people who know the gamblers mindset and offer them what they want. I really don’t think Vegas has much of a choice in this.