Part 2: How Has the Pandemic Changed the Way the Casinos Function?

Part 2: How has the pandemic changed the way the casinos function?

In yesterday's QoD, we looked at the changes the pandemic has wrought in how the casinos function in a macro sense; today, we're happy to post a trip report from frequent LVA correspondent and Vegas veteran Jeffrey S., who coincidentally sent this to us recently and is graciously allowing us to quote it extensively.

So don't take our word for our observations yesterday and previously; here's the eyewitness account.

“Since this was my first trip back since COVID, I noticed many changes.

"The worst was the constant gouging of visitors. Of course, the resort fees are an obvious example. But how about a $10 table that costs $11 a hand? At the Fremont, we walked up to a $10 blackjack table. When my friend sat down and put $10 on the felt, the dealer informed him that he was required to also play the $1 side bet. My friend said that he didn’t want to add a dollar and she told him he couldn’t play at the table. He got up and left. [This sounds like Lucky Cat or a variation thereof, a game we covered in a QoD a few months ago.] Since the side bets are heavily weighted in the house’s favor, this was another ploy to squeeze more profit out of the players. But $11 to play a $ 10 hand? (The $1 mandatory side bet was also at the $5 and $15 tables.)

“Another grab for visitors’ money was at the restaurant at the top of the Strat. I've been going to The Top of the World since it opened about 25 years ago. The quality of the restaurant has varied, but my last trip there was excellent. I usually have dinner there once on every trip. I enjoy the changing view as it rotates, especially at sunset. However, on this trip, they finally reached my point of indifference. First they required a $25 fee per person, paid in advance, to have a seat by the window. Then I looked at the menu. Steaks now start at $74. All items were a la carte, which means that the total bill per person could easily be $125-$150 without alcohol. We decided that if I wanted to see the sunset, we could go up to the observation deck for $24 and eat downstairs.

“An interesting restaurant experience was our dinner at Bazaar Meats. The food that we ordered was excellent. The problem was the attempt to upsell us. We met some of my local friends at the restaurant since they had been interested in trying it. The waiter began by insisting that we try the tasting menu (I think it was $225 a person). But we told him we were there to have steaks. Then the presentation shifted to his insisting that we try the Wagyu beef — at $65 an ounce. Again, we said that we just wanted the ‘regular’ steaks and sides. We didn’t see much of the waiter after that. The meal was still expensive and the food and side dishes were very good, but I felt that we were being ignored when we didn’t agree to the exorbitant prices for the special items."

Nor did labor issues pass unnoticed, especially at the Downtown Grand.

“I understand that help is at a premium in Las Vegas, but the Grand’s answer was to make us call every day if we wanted service for our rooms. They said that they sent an email to us stating this policy (change) a day after we arrived, but neither of us received anything. And ‘service’ was just tidying the room. If you wanted fresh towels, you had to call someone else. The free parking was across the street. Good plan until the elevator malfunctioned. Valet parking is also available for $20 a day.”

Thank you, Jeffrey. And come again soon.

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Kevin Lewis May-20-2023

The Reno Advisor

It's time to pull up stakes and move north.

Lotel May-20-2023

Go someplace different

I have found a couple places where they have nice casinos, cheep rooms, better gambling, good local food ,some entertainment, less crowded. I am  Not telling where. I  do not want them to become another Las Vegas.  I suggest try other places, if you find a nice place do not post it on social media unless you want more crowds and higher prices

Boomer 55 May-20-2023

More Hassles

A once a yr visitor since '85, I've grown and deteriorated and become more expensive and more of a hassle to maintain somewhat like LV experience. A few specific hassles:1-many fitness facilities where i used to lift or swim laps have closed. 2- reservations required for RedRock Canyon visit 3- tolerable vp pay schedules progressively harder to find 4-it seems we see more rude and/or aggressive behavior 5-complimentary manual wheelchairs no longer provided at some hotels 6-motorized wheelchairs have become popular with some (see#4)for joyriding, forcing many resorts to restrict their use, even denying mobility device rental companies property access for delivery or pickup.
On the bright side, the sports book experience has improved thanks to mobile wagering and to more and better video screens. Pandemic probly accelerated the mobile wavering.

[email protected] May-20-2023

QUIT Complaining About Steak Dinner Prices!

I am simply amazed at the whining about steak dinner prices in Vegas (or anywhere else). First of all anyone buying that ultra-fat laden Wagyu cow meat deserves to pay a ransom. Secondly, I look to dine out on items I cannot cook myself or that are not available in decent quality at the store (most seafood and specialty meals). Steak is not in either category and should not be at least for any real man over the age of about 18. Typical ribeye/strip/T-Bones/Prime Sirloin that cost upwards of $50 - $75 (ala carte) at Vegas restaurants can literally be purchased for between $6.99 and $9.99 per POUND at a local Safeway at least two weeks out of every month and it takes all of about 30-45 minutes (drive time to a restaurant) to cook the meal. And at least 75% of the time the steaks will taste better because you have grilled over hardwood or charcoal as as opposed to gas or electric heat. Quit being lazy....and quit whining about prices you didnt have to pay.

full_monte_carlo May-20-2023

Room cleaning

We just got back from 8 days and 7 nights moving to "free" rooms twice. Boyd doesn't service your rooms unless you call down by noon the day you want service. They only notify you of this if your stay is 3 days or more. Fewer staff needed and fewer room tips to those that do work. I would have to flag down a cart and get clean towels and a roll of paper thin toilet tissue to get us through our three nights there, I also noticed that the pillow count in the rooms is less. Two pillows per bed. I lost the MOST $$$ this year in Vegas than I have any of my previous trips. Car rental was a long line with a 45 min wait to get to the car rental facility and another 45 min wait to get our walk up rental. Our food cost was much higher and that was using a free buffet at the Palms and food credit at each of our hotels. I understand that everything is more expensive everywhere but enough is enough. I hope it changes soon.

Brent May-20-2023

Hilarious

Let's see. First of all, not automatically getting maid service is not a Las Vegas thing. It's everywhere. Maybe get out more.

Second, if you go to Bazaar Meat (no "s," please) and "just want steak and sides," you will have good food for sure, but also miss out on the best of everything.

There are almost certainly regular blackjack tables at the Fremont, you just have to look for them.

The cost of everything goes up, and things are cyclical.

It seems like Jeffrey S. just hates everything. He and Kevin Lewis should get along well, yelling at each other in the retirement home.

Doc H May-20-2023

yep

"He and Kevin Lewis should get along well, yelling at each other in the retirement home."

lol, and to think, the poor retirement home staff-residents who have to put up with such constant whining and anger. Get off my lawn you whipper snappers, argh, wah wah wah!

Kevin Lewis May-20-2023

Brent and Doc

Get a room. Be sure it has a TV that only gets one channel--Fox News.

CLIFFORD May-20-2023

protesting wrong

the good ol' USA was founded on biching, etc...

Doc H May-20-2023

shouting at the sky

Yes, angry tired partisan oldsters shouting-whining-swearing-ranting obsessivly for years on a forum for gambling about orange man, fox news, where did all the $1.99 breakfast specials go, why aren't I comped playing $20 anymore sure is productive in the vein of the American way. Uh huh.

David Miller May-20-2023

I don't know why

 Apparently every topic, no matter where posted, must end up as being confrontational - and usually it is the same person in each conversation. You could have 999 people agree and then you would still have the same one person who will/does not agree and they make the issue something that it should never become. Some people are never happy...

Question of the Day - 20 May 2023

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