This question came from Jean Scott upon receiving her printed copy of the April Las Vegas Advisor newsletter, which contains an unfortunate error that got through our editing. In the issue we confused Caesars Entertainment (CET) with MGM Resorts International (MRI) in an update on the pay-for-parking saga. To get things straight, the item should have read,
Ticketing booths are in place at some MGM Resorts International properties in preparation for the imposed parking fees that will begin this month. It hasn’t been conveyed yet when the switch will be flipped.
In the issue it reads "Caesars Entertainment." Ugh! Upon discovering the error, we immediately corrected it in the online upload of the newsletter that's posted as soon as the issue is completed, but it was too late to change in the print version.
Of course we extend a full apology to Caesars Entertainment. As of now, there’s been no indication that CET will follow the path of MRI in charging for parking. In fact, no other company has indicated as much … at least not yet. When the plan was announced in January, Anthony Curtis wrote,
First, let’s be clear that there’s a big sector that this news doesn’t affect—namely, those who fly in and move around by cab, shuttle, bus, or foot. But it does affect anyone who drives in or flies-and-rents. And it profoundly affects locals, who are swearing that they’ll no longer go to MRI casinos.
While threats like this rarely manifest, this time I believe them. At least as long as there are other options. Thus far, no other Strip casinos have indicated that they’ll follow suit, but you can be sure their fingers are on the trigger. If most of them eventually charge, then what? Will a significant number of customers stop going altogether? That’s the big question.
As with everything else, the proof will be in the results. If this move has the final-straw effect that I think it might, there’ll be a noticeable drop in patronage and the fee will have to be abandoned. But if they pay, the fee will stay, and others will follow suit.
It’s worth noting that MGM Resorts has made tradition-breaking policy changes in the past that subsequently have been reconsidered. The MGM Grand opened with a policy that eliminated the entrenched practice of giving free drinks to video poker players at the bar. The San Remo across the street immediately put a message up on its marquee that read "WE COMP VIDEO POKER PLAYERS AT OUR BAR," and MGM quickly reverted [talk about mouse roaring at lion!]. (Mandalay Bay and Wynn/Encore have since tried this, with only the latter maintaining the policy.) In the late ’90s, MGM Grand was one of the first to install cashless slots, and when they went unplayed, they were removed. Of course, the property proved to be ahead of the times on that one, as now almost all casinos use TITO technology.
Changing the status quo isn’t easily accomplished, and there’s already been a small retreat on the parking plan, if only in terms of a delay. Originally scheduled to begin this month to coincide with the opening of the T-Mobile Arena (tomorrow), there are reports that implementation will be delayed until the end of May, due to organizational issues.
And as for Jean Scott, she’s doing anything but "slipping." She continues to write her Frugal Vegas blog that appears on this website (check out her monthly round up of casino promos, just posted for April) and is finishing comprehensive updates of both The Frugal Gambler and More Frugal Gambling, both of which will come out later this year.
