zengrifter
Banned
The Bear Growls: Las Vegas casino greed killing the golden goose
Long-time Las Vegas-based advantage player, casino critic, and frequent BJ21.com contributor LVBear offers his opinions on things that sometimes go wrong in the world of casinos. Current and past growls can be read and comments posted at LVBear's website, TheBearGrowls.com
Well, well, well -- (Dead link: http://www.lvrj.com/breaking_news/24311387.html?numComments=17) _Nevada gaming revenues fell more than 15 percent in May, according to figures released by the Gaming Control Board._
Maybe the suckers are finally getting it. With ripoffs like 6 to 5 blackjack, sportsbooks refusing to take bets of more than chump change, short-pay video poker and many similar insults to our city's visitors, most people can find better quality gaming elsewhere. It appears the other overpriced local "amenities" are among the first things people cut out when times get tougher. Casino greed is killing the golden goose. The Las Vegas casino bosses' business model, which seems to rely on the theory that there'll always be more suckers to plunder, may finally be coming to a screeching halt.
Las Vegas once was a worthwhile destination, not only for a person of average means, but for skilled patrons, too. The average person has been priced out of the market by the greedy corporate barons now running the joints, and the skilled patron has been effectively stifled by the preponderance of garbage games, existing only on the fringes now. Usually what is good for the skilled patron is also good for the casino. Better games will attract more skilled patrons, but will also let the suckers hold onto their money a little longer. With the "let's bankrupt them all as quickly as we can" attitude so prevalent now, led by the despicable Harrah's, no wonder tourism is taking such a hit.
My personal wish list:
1. Harrah’s to go into bankruptcy and be forced to divest itself of most of its properties, which could then be acquired by individual entrepreneurs willing to offer the suckers reasonably fair treatment.
2. Some imaginative and competent owners and managers to take over the failing dumps downtown.
3. Wynn to go bankrupt. The loathsome Mr. Wynn, who knowingly hired an individual who committed blatant perjury in a legal case involving patrons, presides over a sportsbook that is among the worst-run with the rudest management anywhere, and tolerates unparalleled intrusion into the privacy of patrons via Social Security number harassment of all but the lowest-level players, deserves to be put out of business.
4. The remaining operators to see this economic downturn as an opportunity to return to giving the patrons some value, instead of just ripping off our visitors with bloated prices on rooms and shows, poor service, bad attitudes, and lousy games.
Las Vegas has plundered the suckers for a long time now. The motto for the Convention and Visitors Bureau ought to be, “Las Vegas – a great place to live, but I wouldn’t want to visit.” It’s time to get back to the basics of offering value to the average visitor. “Value” and “service” appear to be words most of the present crop of casino managers are not familiar with – short-term results and today’s stock prices seem to be their only concern. Right now, they are getting what they deserve.
xxx
Long-time Las Vegas-based advantage player, casino critic, and frequent BJ21.com contributor LVBear offers his opinions on things that sometimes go wrong in the world of casinos. Current and past growls can be read and comments posted at LVBear's website, TheBearGrowls.com
Well, well, well -- (Dead link: http://www.lvrj.com/breaking_news/24311387.html?numComments=17) _Nevada gaming revenues fell more than 15 percent in May, according to figures released by the Gaming Control Board._
Maybe the suckers are finally getting it. With ripoffs like 6 to 5 blackjack, sportsbooks refusing to take bets of more than chump change, short-pay video poker and many similar insults to our city's visitors, most people can find better quality gaming elsewhere. It appears the other overpriced local "amenities" are among the first things people cut out when times get tougher. Casino greed is killing the golden goose. The Las Vegas casino bosses' business model, which seems to rely on the theory that there'll always be more suckers to plunder, may finally be coming to a screeching halt.
Las Vegas once was a worthwhile destination, not only for a person of average means, but for skilled patrons, too. The average person has been priced out of the market by the greedy corporate barons now running the joints, and the skilled patron has been effectively stifled by the preponderance of garbage games, existing only on the fringes now. Usually what is good for the skilled patron is also good for the casino. Better games will attract more skilled patrons, but will also let the suckers hold onto their money a little longer. With the "let's bankrupt them all as quickly as we can" attitude so prevalent now, led by the despicable Harrah's, no wonder tourism is taking such a hit.
My personal wish list:
1. Harrah’s to go into bankruptcy and be forced to divest itself of most of its properties, which could then be acquired by individual entrepreneurs willing to offer the suckers reasonably fair treatment.
2. Some imaginative and competent owners and managers to take over the failing dumps downtown.
3. Wynn to go bankrupt. The loathsome Mr. Wynn, who knowingly hired an individual who committed blatant perjury in a legal case involving patrons, presides over a sportsbook that is among the worst-run with the rudest management anywhere, and tolerates unparalleled intrusion into the privacy of patrons via Social Security number harassment of all but the lowest-level players, deserves to be put out of business.
4. The remaining operators to see this economic downturn as an opportunity to return to giving the patrons some value, instead of just ripping off our visitors with bloated prices on rooms and shows, poor service, bad attitudes, and lousy games.
Las Vegas has plundered the suckers for a long time now. The motto for the Convention and Visitors Bureau ought to be, “Las Vegas – a great place to live, but I wouldn’t want to visit.” It’s time to get back to the basics of offering value to the average visitor. “Value” and “service” appear to be words most of the present crop of casino managers are not familiar with – short-term results and today’s stock prices seem to be their only concern. Right now, they are getting what they deserve.
