Question of the Day - 26 October 2021

Nevada should require casinos to make a reasonable percentage of the gaming area non smoking. See how it affects the numbers. Laughlin Harrahs and Aquarius both do it. 

So agree with Donzack on the smoking issue.  It is especially annoying when in casinos people who do not smoke have to wear a mask, and are harassed by some of the employees (Gold Coast is one of the worst).  Our breathing is already inhibited by the silly mask and then we are stuck breathing smoke.  We go much less now to places that are overbearing in this regard.  It is time for the Casinos to tell the governor to get rid of the mask mandate.

Masks aren't "silly." Casino employees that tell the no-maskers that they have to put one on aren't "harassing" those people or being "overbearing"--they're just doing their jobs. Masks don't "inhibit" breathing. And the casinos can't tell the governor what to do!!!

Nonetheless, I think that any smoking restrictions, let alone smoking bans, are strictly temporary, because smokers are still addicted and there's no way to make them accept those rules. There will be too much bitching and moaning. Just look at smokers' masking (mis-)behavior on the casino floor.

The only possibility of widespread indoor smoking restrictions (thus dragging Nevada kicking and screaming into the 21st century) will be if the casinos wholeheartedly embrace the "fewer customers, more profits" approach that has worked so far. They've already decided they can do without people with brains and/or any kind of price sensitivity. They might make a similar decision regarding smokers.

I can't believe LVA missed an obvious one - mobile sports betting. The number of apps and their use has skyrocketed during the pandemic and that will most likely continue on way beyond Covid. 

Either Kevin is mellowing out, somewhat, un his old age, or I am becoming a bit more crass in mine. For the first time ever, I agree with his commentary 100%! Like planets colliding 😀  Smoking should be banned in all casinos with ONE exceptuon....build an enclosed smoking booth like some airports have where all the players that want to pollute the air can all be (contained) with like thinkers. Keep the air clean for everyone else. I especially liked this gem from KEVIN "They've already decided they can do without people with brains and/or any kind of price sensitivity"  ABSOLUTELY GENIUS. I think I'll go out and buy a lottery ticket today as the stars have aligned👍

Maybe I am just dense on this subject of the smoking issues in casinos, being a non-smoker; however, what’s the problem? In flying from my home base to Vegas, it takes at least four hours. No one on the plane can have the liberty to smoke for that time. It is accepted. If one can make that adjustment while in flight to Vegas from whatever home base he or she is coming, why is there a problem when it comes to the matter of limitations on smoking in casino? Same scenario for eating in restaurants or shopping for groceries where smoking is banned. For me it is a ‘mind over matter’ issue. When all is said and done, who is being denied his or her right, a smoker or a non-smoker? San of the pandemic, smoking still is harmful for the smoker and for those who are affected by secondary smoke. I’m just saying….

Just adding to the other "why not" comments.  Smoking is forbidden inside of almost everywhere.  Why not casinos? 

And don't ya love walking past those airport smoking lounges just as somebody opens the door?  [Insert wretching clip art here.]

Candy 

When you see something related to a casino that doesn't make sense it's probably because of money. For so long they've continued to allow smoking despite overwhelming proof the majority of people are against it, despite the fact that smoking is harmful to employees and customers, despite the extra costs of cleaning everything. The old days of smoky casinos filled with gamblers lasted a long time, it's burned into the brain of many casino executives and owners as the profitable way to run a casino. Change is hard for them to do, there's a fear of losing customers or having customers spend less time gambling. No casino executive wants a quarterly report showing less profits that could be blamed on his/her decision, anything from a bad selection of slots to implementing no-smoking could be a risk to their yearly salary bonus or promotion. They'll have to see that no-smoking policies are not detrimental to business.

Contactless transaction. ??  Waste of time. You see that as positive because you know nothing about the covid scam. That is just a move toward paperless currency. IRS to monitor bank accounts. Guess you are desperate to find a pos. Let’s see. Few comps. High room and meal charges. Casinos are milking customers. All video poker gutted except plaza. Buffets??  Cannot think of any pos. Next year will be teste for casino’s v

Jerry is wearing his cool tin foil hat today.  Getting ready for Halloween I assume.  Kudos. 

What happened to science? Emotion seems to rule here on LVA on covid LV matters. Now, on to reality and science that you can search on your internet thingy and educate yourself on.  

A recent New York magazine article states that the science on masks "remains uncertain". But it did note the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in May published a large scale study of COVID transmission in US schools. The study  analyzed 90,000 elementary students in 169 Georgia schools from November 16 to December 11 and found that THERE WAS NO STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN SCHOOLS THAT REQUIRED STUDENTS TO WEAR MASKS VS SCHOOL WHERE MASKS WERE OPTIONAL.

But knock yourself out pro maskers and just do what you're told from your local McNews source and parrot it on LVA and ignore the current science. And believe your non N-95 mask will stop inbound/outbound micron thin virus particles. Oh, and now on to that ocean front property some of you believe that exists in Iowa. 

you said "profits are through the roof from noticeably fewer players"  I was out there in LV a few months ago and it was as crowed as I have ever seen it.  I thought I read  it is still very  crowded. I am waiting until the crowds die down to go back .  are there really less players now?? 

Dr. H, 
Thank you for sharing your thoughts; however, was it your intent to reveal to us that common sense is not too common nowadays no matter how articulate you may be…

Hi Gene, my intent was to comment on a few mentions of masks in this comment thread, to shine a little science on the matter. 

Though on the topic, I wonder if we'll have a mask mandate soon in LV for non-smokers bothered by the smoke to filter out some of the elements of the casino smoke as we are in everyone is responsible for everything now thinking mode? Why have non-smoking areas when it's the responsibility of everyone now to just do the mask-up thing and push that thought process out to each person needs be part of the smoking in casino "solution"? 

Fun times. 

I doubt it is a wash but I do not know people who can only play so long because the smoke gets to them.  Some of that play might make up a bit of the difference. I do think it is time casinos go smoke-free and I like the idea of having an enclosed area if they want for people to smile and gamble like in airports. Just keep the games that are in there the same as the ones on the main floor. That way I get to breathe my fresher air and they can smoke. I am sure others here remember when planes allowed smoking the read of the plane there use to be a haze back there but the smell was everywhere

Can I expect improved coupon in my 2022 book? 

At my Casino we have a whole section in our casinos that is for smokers. They have sliding doors (as most of them do) that go to the main gaming floor. When someone walks in and out some of the smell escapes obviously but overall it seems to work fairly well. The ventilation in there is much better too, particularly because of COVID, wasnt the greatest before.... Our smoking section has approx 250 machines. Maybe LV casinos could do something like that.