Slot machines, we’re constantly being told, just aren’t on with the younger generation. Weaned on video games, millennials want something more skill-based. Insert Coins owner Christopher LaPorte aims to give them what they want. For the unfamiliar, Insert Coins is a nightclub in Downtown themed around video games. Featuring bottle service and premium booths, it is reliable flypaper for douchebags.
LaPorte is proposing that Nevada make it legal to network popular video games with slot platforms, enabling younger players to get the best of both worlds. I see nothing wrong with this except that casino executives are unlikely to be thrilled with it. Just what they fear: A generation of new players armed with technology to beat the house. Even so, a Nevada legislative study committee has given it the thumbs-up.
So, too, did it approve the notion of allowing the casinos to tilt the odds in favor of good players. This is what players fear the most: Casinos going around, selectively fiddling with the odds. Is a “good” player the one who puts in a couple of hours of solid play on slots or at blackjack? Or will the odds be lowered for whales and made up off the backs of bread and butter players? Long experience makes one suspect that it will be the latter? Either way, who wants to play at a casino where the odds aren’t on the square?
* The same legislative committee elected (pun intended) not to vote on a tasteless proposal by state Sen. Tick Segerblom to allow betting on presidential elections. Let’s leave the electoral process with some shred of dignity, shan’t we? Since Gov. Brian Sandoval, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission are all opposed, this looks to be as dead as a bad idea can get.
* Also in questionable taste is the quest of River City Casino, in Great Falls, Montana, to rebuild less then 600 feet of a Catholic church. “City staff said the proposed casino is consistent with the 2013 City Growth Policy Update because it’s infill development, redevelops underutilized land and also eliminates blight and promotes economic development.” Americans should enjoy freedom of worship and freedom to gamble, but there are times when it would be more creditable not to rub people’s noses in the latter.
* For all the brave talk about how SLS Las Vegas would draw its clientele off Sam Nazarian‘s nightclub clientele, a reliable pipeline of hotel guests was lacking. Until now. Nazarian has come to terms with Curio, an autonomous division of Hilton Worldwide. If you’re a members of Hilton’s HHonors program, you can use your points (and accrue more) staying at SLS LV. Not to downplay any of SLS’ other achievements on the Strip, this is the best news it’s had to date.
David, settle an argument for me if you could: several colleagues say “Hilton bought SLS”. It’s a marketing deal correct? And has nothing to do with their timeshark people?
You are correct, Bruce. It’s a marketing deal. You can book your rooms through Hilton’s Curio division. No purchase has taken place and no timeshare units are involved. It’s still Sam Nazarian’s baby.