I had returned to a casino that I have always enjoyed playing at after a stretch of staying away because I had been backed off from blackjack - "you are welcome to play other games"
I thought the elapsed time was adaquate and that it may be safe to play there again although I did not use my player card for fear of them identifying me by my name. (I really must get some different id one of these days) And it was fine over several sessions.
On the last trip though I ran into some totally unexpected heat that really freaked me out especially after my earlier experience.
I had been down quite a bit in play = over $3000. I stayed, played and won back what I lost and was up. I was squirrleing away chips during play and had quite a pocketful. When I went to the cashier cage to cash out I was mindful of a sign that I had seen there about limits of transactions before they aggregate winnings. Beyond a certain amount they require identification at increasing levels as the amount increases.
Being aware of this I only cashed out for an amount below their threshold level. But, as I was doing this the cashier, asked to see my player's card. I told her I didn't have one and why did she ask ? Then when she realized how much I actually had she said "never mind" and went on to explain that it was to my advantage to use a player card because I would get a better deal on the exchange rate. She said I should ask the PC about it. I went back and thought nothing more of it.
Played some more. Won some more. Went back to cash in chips - nowhere near any of the transaction limits. As I was standing there I realized the cashier supervisor was on the phone I heard him say "He is just cashing in chips for $6xx (my exact amount) and taking American back". He noticed me noticing him and immediatley came over to me. reviewed the transaction over the shoulder of the cashier and in the computer where the exchange was entered. Asked me how I was doing and was I done playing and leaving now ? I answered that I thought I would play a little longer and went back to the table. I had been getting no heat and no particular attention from the dealer or the pit during any of my play.
Because I would like to be able to continue playing there another time I thought better of the idea of staying and playing any further. Got up and left.
What disturbed me was the phone call. It seemed to have occured almost simultneously with me stepping up the cashier. So, I assumed I was being watched pretty closely for some reason and did not want to risk my play being observed so closely.
I went to the food area to take a break and sort things out. Decided there was nothing I particularly wanted to eat or drink and that maybe the best thing to do was leave.
I still had quite a bit of local currency on me that I needed to exchange. More than their threshold amount. I took a safe amount to a cashier window on the far end of the casino to exchange. During the transaction again a cashier supervisor came directly over to me, this time out of nowhwere and asked to see my player card. I told her I didn't have one. She said I should get one.
I just left with the rest of my money unchanged.
Looking back on it I think that for some reason my behavior looked suspicious to some overzealous camera person as a possible money launderer. I dont think it had anything to do with my play at all. My thinking is to wait several months before going back there again and maybe having some id that i can use when i do go back. I did miss taking advantage of their good comps.
Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions about the incident ?
I thought the elapsed time was adaquate and that it may be safe to play there again although I did not use my player card for fear of them identifying me by my name. (I really must get some different id one of these days) And it was fine over several sessions.
On the last trip though I ran into some totally unexpected heat that really freaked me out especially after my earlier experience.
I had been down quite a bit in play = over $3000. I stayed, played and won back what I lost and was up. I was squirrleing away chips during play and had quite a pocketful. When I went to the cashier cage to cash out I was mindful of a sign that I had seen there about limits of transactions before they aggregate winnings. Beyond a certain amount they require identification at increasing levels as the amount increases.
Being aware of this I only cashed out for an amount below their threshold level. But, as I was doing this the cashier, asked to see my player's card. I told her I didn't have one and why did she ask ? Then when she realized how much I actually had she said "never mind" and went on to explain that it was to my advantage to use a player card because I would get a better deal on the exchange rate. She said I should ask the PC about it. I went back and thought nothing more of it.
Played some more. Won some more. Went back to cash in chips - nowhere near any of the transaction limits. As I was standing there I realized the cashier supervisor was on the phone I heard him say "He is just cashing in chips for $6xx (my exact amount) and taking American back". He noticed me noticing him and immediatley came over to me. reviewed the transaction over the shoulder of the cashier and in the computer where the exchange was entered. Asked me how I was doing and was I done playing and leaving now ? I answered that I thought I would play a little longer and went back to the table. I had been getting no heat and no particular attention from the dealer or the pit during any of my play.
Because I would like to be able to continue playing there another time I thought better of the idea of staying and playing any further. Got up and left.
What disturbed me was the phone call. It seemed to have occured almost simultneously with me stepping up the cashier. So, I assumed I was being watched pretty closely for some reason and did not want to risk my play being observed so closely.
I went to the food area to take a break and sort things out. Decided there was nothing I particularly wanted to eat or drink and that maybe the best thing to do was leave.
I still had quite a bit of local currency on me that I needed to exchange. More than their threshold amount. I took a safe amount to a cashier window on the far end of the casino to exchange. During the transaction again a cashier supervisor came directly over to me, this time out of nowhwere and asked to see my player card. I told her I didn't have one. She said I should get one.
I just left with the rest of my money unchanged.
Looking back on it I think that for some reason my behavior looked suspicious to some overzealous camera person as a possible money launderer. I dont think it had anything to do with my play at all. My thinking is to wait several months before going back there again and maybe having some id that i can use when i do go back. I did miss taking advantage of their good comps.
Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions about the incident ?