How To Apply For Casino Credit
There is one other alternative for those who have the discipline and control not to get carried away. You can establish a credit line with the casino you will be visiting. This column is not for everyone. If you have ever had any difficulties managing your money in the casino please skip this article.
Most casinos offer credit privileges as part of their customer service to the player. It increases player loyalty because you will be inclined to play at a casino where you have a line of credit. It is also a convenience for the player not to have to carry extra cash. When you establish credit with a casino you are allowed to write a marker and withdraw money to use while gambling in the casino.
Establishing casino credit should be done before you visit the casino. In most cases it will take a few days to check your application so you should plan in advance to make sure all the paper work is done in time for your casino stay.
The first thing you need to do is to get a credit application. If you are applying for credit at your local casino you can pick up an application at the casino. Many casinos have a credit office or you can inquire at the casino cage. If you are visiting a casino in another destination you can phone them and ask to be connected to the casino cage. Tell the person in the casino cage that you want to obtain a credit application. They can fax or mail you an application. If you have access to the Internet you may be able to download an application from the casino’s website.
The Application
You will most likely have to fill out a credit application even if you are just applying for check cashing privileges. The application for casino credit is similar to an application for a credit card.
The application will also ask you the dollar amount of credit you would like to obtain. It is important that you have at least this much in the account you are listing on the credit application. You can’t have $500 dollars in your account and then expect to receive a $3,000 line of credit. The casinos want to make sure that they can withdraw the money from your account if necessary.
By signing the application you are giving the casino permission to do a complete credit check and to contact your bank. Some casinos will require you to send in a voided check along with your application.
Taking a Marker
Once your credit application is approved you an take a marker to get money to use for gambling. Taking a marker at the table is not difficult. When you sit down at the table you tell the dealer that you want a marker. The dealer will call over the floor person who will ask you for your player’s card and ask you the amount of money you would like the marker to be. The floor person will fill out the required paperwork for your request. In most casinos the marker will be printed right in the pit. In other casinos they may be printed in the cage and brought to the table. You will then be given the marker to sign and the floor person will instruct the dealer to give you chips for that amount. You are then free to play as you wish.
Slot players are not left out if they want to establish a line of credit but there is a little more scrutiny when they obtain a marker. When you are playing at the tables the Pit issues you chips with which they can track you as you play. When you are playing slots there is not as much control as to where the money goes. To obtain a marker for playing the machines you will need to visit the casino cage. Some casinos let you take a marker by requesting one through a Slot Attendant but it will be much faster at the cage.
Some casinos base the amount of the marker given to the slot player based on past play and amount of your credit line. If you normally play quarter slots for four hours a day and lose an average of $500 you will not be able to take a marker for $2,000 right from the start. The casino will also watch the slot players more carefully.
Whether you play the tables or the machines, the purpose of a marker is to allow you to be able to play without having to carry cash with you. The casino does not want you to use it as a free loan when you are in town. If you take a large marker and then play only a little and “walk” with the remainder of the money you can be cut off from taking markers in the future.
Paying Your Marker
When you sign a marker it becomes legal tender that can be cashed by the casinos. It is just the same as if you wrote them a personal check. If you do not have the money in your account and the check “bounces” you are committing fraud and are subject to the consequences.
If you are a winner it is customary to repay your markers before you leave the casino. While the casino doesn’t mind you using the money while you are there, they don’t appreciate you taking a free loan home with you along with your winnings.
You may pay your markers in full or make a partial payment with cash or check before you leave the casino. You can do this at the cage and any balance will be put on a new marker for you to sign. If you chose to pay your markers after you get home, you can do so by sending them a check or pay by wire transfer. If payment is not made within the specified time they will deposit your marker and the money will be withdrawn from the account you listed on your credit application.
The time frame for paying back markers varies by the amount of money you owe. Usually if the marker is less than $1,000 you are required to pay it back in 7 calendar days. If your marker is $1,001 - $5,000 you have 14 calendar days. If your marker is over $5,000 you usually have 45 days to pay.
Be Careful
Casino credit can be a great convenience and has many advantages because you don’t have to carry cash however you should NEVER apply for any casino credit if you don’t have the discipline to control your gambling. Having credit can be a benefit but it can also present big problems if you lose control. If you have any doubts about your ability play within a budget don’t even think about casino credit.
Until Next time remember: Luck comes and goes.....Knowledge Stays Forever.
http://casinogambling.about.com/od/moneymanagement/a/credit.htm
