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StumbleBaccarat gives boost to Strip gaming win
Published Friday, Sept. 10, 2010 | 7:29 a.m.
Updated Friday, Sept. 10, 2010 | 10:44 a.m.
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CARSON CITY – The state Gaming Control Board reported today that Las Vegas Strip casinos won $461.1 million in games and slots in July, the same amount as July 2009.
Statewide, the board said the gross win, computed before taxes and expenses, fell 4.9 percent to $829.6 million, the fifth straight month of a decline.
After two down months, Strip casinos reported that gross win in baccarat rose by 9 percent in July.
Mike Lawton, senior research analyst for the board, said the decline in gross win statewide is smaller this year than last year, when double-digit drops were recorded. He said table win is positive, but slot play is off.
On the Strip in May and June this year, the gross win in baccarat dropped by 37.1 percent and 60.8 percent, respectively, on the Strip compared to a year earlier. But it picked up in July with reported winnings at $74.4 million.
The board said the 37 Strip casinos won $1.3 million in the sports pool, a 249.8 percent increase with most of the winnings coming on baseball and World Cup soccer bets.
There was a 24.6 percent increase in the gross win in blackjack. But the win on craps fell 7.2 percent; roulette was off 13.9 percent and the slot play was down 7.7 percent.
Lawton said three of the seven months this year the gaming win on the Strip has increased compared to a year earlier. The gaming win is up 2.2 percent for the year.
For the 26th consecutive month, gaming win downtown casinos fell – this time by 19.2 percent; North Las Vegas casinos recorded a 23.5 percent drop; Laughlin was off 1.6 percent; the Boulder Strip fell 16.8 percent and the balance of Clark County was off 12.6 percent.
Gambling in Mesquite showed the only gain in Clark County, up 0.3 percent in July.
The board reported gross win in casinos in Washoe County dropped by 2 percent; South Lake Tahoe was off 12.8 percent; Elko County fell 2.1 percent and the gross win in Carson City dropped by 4.1 percent.
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My advise to Mr. and Mrs. Las Vegas Casino Executive:
Take your time, have a leasurly lunch, then go back and calmly review all the user comments which have been posted to all the Sun articles about casino losses over the last year or so, and you will see exactly what can be done to become profitable.
It is absolutely mind boggling that you do not have the Intelligence to think of this yourself.
@TheKash:
You are right on target. To summarize the postings--back to basics--value (stop hitting patrons with stupid charges hidden charges) offer value cost meals--and good gambling).
That is exactly right, and I have to agree... the answers are all there.. I am not sure why the top level people are not going to listen... I guess they are much smarter that the posters... Or I guess maybe not,,,If they were,, then they would look and listen to the feet on the steet ( so to speak). the customers are already responding by not coming to las vegas,, so why not find out why before it is too late... go ahead and ask the bartenders, waitresses, dealers ... ASK them ... if you cared, you would look at them as god,, because they know exactly what the problems are... the upper management does think that they know what is going on ... they do TRUST ME they do.... but then again they are replaceable huh...
Football season is here. I have done my part to contribute to the casinos in the past week. Good luck to all.
There's a point at which they listen, and then there's a point when they simply do not care and just follow according their business plans.
If the casino revenues drop, so do the promotional budgets. They think that the only solution is to cut expenses (firing bottom feeder personel, tightenting up on the machines , cutting on the comp values, cutting on other promotions such as match play coupons, making funbooks less fun for the tourists, and much much more to add on this list). I think the implention of the resort amenity is the ultimate indignity towards their patrons.
As a conseuence, people stop visiting Las Vegas as others may have stopped doing their groceries at a particular supermarket simply because other supermarkets are offering more and better deals. Same with Vegas in general. People may still come visiting, but gambling revenues can only go back even more as long as the tourists feel like they're not really welcomed anymore.
On the other side, what are the alternatives? I have the feeling as if going anywhere these days is not as interesting and value-packed as it used to be 15 or 20 years ago. So, instead of going on a long and distant vacation, perhaps people opt to go hiking or fishing instead. Or hunting. Many people are sick of being taken out by greedy corporations. It would be a wonderful idea if some of these smart-Joeys would read these postings. Perhaps it would change something.
From Switzerland
We made two trips this summer, one by ourselves and one with our boys(over 21). Between the two trips I lost approximately 8G. It at no time was even close to a winning trip. You can just feel the desperation of the business model to drag in as much as possible. The effect it has on most people, as well as myself, is that we have no desire to return anytime soon. In the end that is a losing business model.
Looks like the "race to zero" is still on. Unfortunately we'll be on the losing end whomever finishes first.
The same thing is happening with the CA Indian casinos. When they first opened my wife and I sat side by side on a slot machines and I won $900.00 and she won $600.00. We won everytime we went and the service was great. Now all the machines are in higher denominations than Vegas, mostly dollar machines with more than just 2 or 3 dollars but 5 dollars a pull. All the simple machines disappeared and 10 times 5 times pay showed up and penny machines galore with lots of pay lines. The rooms went up to $300.00 a night and the service was lacking. You check in at 4 and out by 11! Once the word got out that you can't win anything, guess what? I went back to Vegas.
Keep paying off the Unions and Government Employees for votes under the Obama/Reid/Pelosi economic theory... or create a friendly small business environment.
Note to Las Vegans: Small Business Owners around this country is what Makes Las Vegas tick. They don't make money... Las Vegas does not make money.
Government Elitists getting paid off to support the Obama/Reid/Pelosi economic theory do not come to Las Vegas and spend money. They think Las Vegans are stupid... They do not take risks.
Keep supporting the Obama/Pelosi/Reid economic theory and keep watching Las Vegas and Nevada slide down the tubes.
A trip to Vegas is like a trip to a major league baseball game--the game itself is great, but everything else is major ripoff--shelling out ridiculous sums for food and beverages. It really just takes a lot of the fun out it.
Then you check out a get tagged with the resort fee (some clerk at the front desk at Hooters tried to tell me recently when I was checking out that the resort fee ($8.00 for that dump) was a tax on all resorts in the state--a patronizing insult).
Or try Paris, LV, where they hit you for $15 to use the gym for the day.
Finally, the rental car return is laden with taxes and fees which add about one-third to the cost of the rental car--the final insult.
This town has to wake up. Vistors feel like they are being gouged because they are.
Turrialba
By chance I received a special offer from the Hooters Casino in my email. They advertised the old rooms for 24.00 dollars or so , midweek, plus taxes. Upgrade to the main tower rooms possible. I don't think that upgrade is free of charge. Plus then, just like you mentioned, a 8 dollar resort fee, totalling it at about 35 dollars per night, for the old rooms. Ok, on the Strip this may be a good rate for a few crazy days, but nothing that could make me get excited about. I will stay with the other locals' casinos. Orleans, Southpoint, etc. They usually have really good rates and even with the Orleans resort fee it comes to a "ok-rate".
Greetings from Switzerland
Boris
The corporate structure has totally destroyed gambling in Nevada. I really believe that nothing will bring it back to what it was. The response by us the players and even casual gamblers is that it's a total rip off, and we will find other ways to spend our dollars. Too bad but Vegas is OVER!!!!
Boris:
Hope all is well in Switzerland these days. I have traveled to your country 4 or 5 times. Always fun and the people are great.
Hooters is a place to avoid. I did a prepay on Orbitz or something for $28.00 per night. They take your credit card when you arrive (as with every place) and hand you a receipt when you check out with the $8.00 plus tax per night resort fee. What was a good rate is now a ripoff and no they didn't tell me when I checked in. The dude at the desk gave me some BS about it being a tax on all resorts. I was furious. I will sleep on the street before I stay at that place again.
I was at Manadalay Bay in July. They too have a resort fee of $25.00 per night, which was instituted in April. Fortunately, I booked and prepaid in February and was exempt.
Gold Coast has some good rates (Boyd properties only have a $4.00 fee like the Orleans). Prices are not outragous and everyone (mostly tourists from China) are having a good time. No complaints. As with the Orleans, they have a shuttle to the strip.
A very good value is the Best Western McCarren Airport on Paradise. It is off the stip, but the rooms have been renovated. The price is right and even the guys who drive the complimentary airport shuttle are friendly, polite and efficient. There were families there (reminded me of a motel stay in the 1970s with the kids making a big deal about the pool and wandering around the place. No gaming or restuarant, but heck I was only doing a layover before catching an early morning flight. $38 per night and no resort fee. Great place for an overnight stay.
They can't return to the old business model...cheap rooms and cheap food and drinks..looser slots 3/2 BJ ...because...
They financed these mega resorts based on this buisiness model.."every Department has to be a Profit Center"
No longer can F&B be a loss leader..Rooms are cheaper than before but the profit on them is just less thats all...I bet it takes no more than say 40$ to turn a room around in a big strip property.
Sad but true...and how the heck did the GCB let 2 Companies (Harrahs & MGM) basically control 80% of the strip Hotel/Casinos?
As one who worked in parimutuel wagering many years I'm reminded of a mutuel managers comment. He said he'd rather see the days of WPS and a daily double. Maybe have a late exacta, too. His point was when someone hits an exotic for a big payoff the money goes into the pocket and isn't rewagered. In addition if the payoff is over 600-1 there's withholding involved which definitely is lost to the wagering stream. A big payoff may generate interest if it's a special event, however there's nothing special about progressive slots. A gambler may say he wants that big payoff, but a 1-1, 2-1, 3-1 payout is going to be rewagered with the casino taking it's commission each and every time the money passes through a machine. A gambler who has more wins per session will be a lot happier camper and more likely to return to wager another day. Just my 2 cents worth.
Let me get this straight Turrialba... you paid 5.55% more to stay in a property off strip w/o a casino and your happy about it simply because there was not a resort fee on the invoice. I dont care what they call it or how they charge it... if the daily cost is $28 plus $8 for resort fee that is still cheaper than $38 per night!!!!! AND I am on strip with a casino downstairs. Seriously you guys need to pull your heads out of your a%$ and stop bit%hing all the time. If you cant afford $36.00 per night then you shouldn't be gambling in Vegas, stay home and rent a movie from redbox. Heck its only a $1 a day... and NO I aint rich and NO my house isn't in foreclosure. You wanna know how I do it? You wanna know the secret... because I live within my means and I spend LESS than what I make! It is that simple people. It is not how much you make it is how much you spend. When are people going to learn that we are NOT ENTITLED to anything? This is the greatest country in the world the land of most opportunity. You just have to go get it, nobody is going to give it to you.
@BoreUS Thanks
paoneaj
I am 100 per cent with you on your comments....well, let's say 99 per cent. As it comes to the spending point, you are absolutely right. People should not spend more than they make. Still, this is a lesson some people never learned all their life through. High maintenance women like the life in luxury and men trying to keep such women can easily get in trouble.
I like your way of seing things. The room rate plus all taxes plus all additional resort fees makes a total. And only this total counts. What good is a 230 dollar room at a resort that doesn't charge resort fees, after all?
I know that some readers do not really agree with my ways of seing things. However, let me specify: As an overseas traveller, you just don't fly to Vegas for 2 nights only. And because of that you have to make your choice and live within your means. I also would like to stay at places such as Mirage or Bellagio or the Palms, but I simply can't afford it because I usually stay 2-3 weeks in Vegas. Fortunately there are some middle class hotels away from the Strip that are clean, safe and also inexpensive. That's where I usually stay.
Like Turrialba mentioned a few hotels, it is also to be said that having a rental car on a weekly basis gives me loads of opportunites and room for maneouvering. And that's a great investment, as I can get around all over Vegas and find the best places to gamble and dine.
It's like it is. I think that the Strip casinos are good for short term visitors without rental cars and they really don't bother much paying 15 or 22 for a buffet. If you stay 2 or 3 weeks, then it really matters where and how you spend your bankroll. This also applies to what kind of videopoker machines I play and how big my limits are in the poker room.
Greetings from Switzerland
Boris
Well said Boris!! I would never pay $230.00 for a room in Vegas. I would rather have the money to gamble and do other things, besides you are only in the room to sleep off the booze... right? Locals casinos are definietly the way to go if you are staying longer than the weekend as you definitely get much more bang for your buck. Lets face it... I live in Phoenix and I can tell you that that any hotel here that costs $36.00 per night is prolly a dive, in a crappy neighborhhod without a casino... and some people are complaining about $36.00/night at Hooters on the most famous piece of asphalt on the planet. Excuse me but... I'll take that anyday. Anyway, I am just trying to put all of this in perspective as humans tend to miss the forest from the trees when we are going through tough times. Anyway that is just my two cents.
@paoneaj
Actually, it cost less to stay at the Best Western. I just came into stay the night to catch a very early flight. The free shuttle saved taxi and car rental costs. So, it was a bargain. There was a complimentary breakfast too--free coffee and bagel, etc. I am not saying stay there for vacation (unless you have kids), but it is a good place to crash overnight passing through town.
I have done the cab thing between the airport and Hooters. This was a better deal and the place was nicer than Hooter and so were the people.
paoneaj
Picture this: I am on the mailers of some casinos and once in a while they keep sending me quite interesting room deals. I have never been in the favorable situation of getting a comp, not even a RFB, but it's ok. I am just a small player as it comes to games against the house and 15/30 hold'em players do not get any compts except this lousy 1 dollar/hour onwards the buffet, as we know. I can live with that.
But, and that's the good news, from all the years visiting Las Vegas ( I started in 1989 and have been coming back at least 1x or 2x every single day), I have quite a good picture of the hotels in Vegas. Some are better than others , but if you're looking for bargains , there's always something good around. I don't mind hotel changing during my 2 or 3 weeks, it's become part of my vacation and this way I get to see more things. Ok, it's a bit hassleful on the registration all the time, but I have my reasons why I am doing it.
I scratched the Station Casinos mostly from my list of favorites but once in a while I still book my room there. It depends on whether I have a 2-for-1 coupon or the internet deals are convincing. Next month I have for instance 2 nights at the Palace Station, Thursday and Friday, both nights with all taxes for approx 70 dollars. Which is a super rate. And then of course they will charge this ridiculous resort fee, but even with that it's an ok-rate for my means. Palace Station has some very good videopoker, perhaps I can hit 4 deuces there :)
Southpoint is another top favorite hotel of the locals' collection. Great rooms and mostly everything about that I like. I found excellent online rates and decided to stay there. It's only 15 minutes to the Strip by car, so technically even the distance is no problem. To the contrary, this way I will be closer to the M resort and they have a very nice poker room and a delicous buffet :)
Greetings from Switzerland
Boris
sorry, correction. I meant , i have been returning at least 1x or 2x every single year, not every day.
I stayed at Palace Station as well. It was good... rooms were decent and cheap. Here is my main point. The Bellagio is a great property very beautiful... right? However it averages 200-300 per night during the week and upwards of 700-1000 per night during the weekend. Now, their occupancy rate is upwards of 90% and at those rates per night only a select few, less than 1% of the population can TRULY afford to stay there... yet they are full for the most part. That equates to a lot of people spending way more then they can afford. Nevertheless, this is just one example... now expand this to the rest of people's daily, monthly and annual spending habits and that boys and girls is why we are in this predicament.... that is why we have hi foreclosure and bankruptcy rates... That is why we are 13 trillion in debt and rising. Now, I love the The Bellagio but I cant afford to stay there nor am I ENTITLED to... but hey put it on a credit card and then when you cant pay... DON'T. Problem is America wont be able to pay soon.... and that my friends is not going to be good.
I think the occupancy rate at the Bellagio could indeed be at about 90 per cent. Please keep in mind, however, there are many many players that in fact don't pay nothing at all for their rooms. If you are a 100 dollar b-j player and average 6 hours a day, I don't think they charge you for your room. If you're a 300-to-500 dollar player, you can expect to have all of your meals to be picked up and the deluxe room to be free, anyway.
But, wait a second....it's not free, it's paid by your expected theoretical loss and from that you can expect to get 20 per cent return in complimentaries, free rooms and such.
The casino must have found a "trick" to deduct such expenses in full before paying taxes, as otherwise I can't impossibly imagine that they're offering such luxury ..."for free".
I stayed at the Bellagio 2x in my life and must admit that the rooms are absolutely phantastic, even the standard rooms. However, how many hours do you spend in your room, after all? And if you play long hours at nights, you can't even sleep well because in the morning they start room maid service early. In the hallways it's usually noisy and you hear vacuum cleaners and voices, making it a very unpleasant experience. I don't think that the deluxe suites have doors that aren't sound proof, but the standard deluxe rooms are really too expensive if you have to pay for it. As a comp I would take it any day :)
Greetings from Switzerland
True some players are getting it for "free"....but how many people can actually "afford" to wager 300-500 per hand for 6 hours? My guess is not many... unless of course you took a home equity line out on your house with no intention to repay... and now you are upset that the bank is taking your... uh I mean THEIR house back!!! Now MY home value is droping because of it... AMAZING. Not you personally Boris just making the point... lol
BTW... I too would take a comp as well. However, I would never get one cuz I dont wager anywhere near 300-500 per hand.. :)
I wouldn't be worried about my home losing "theoretical" value as long as you have no intentions to move out. It's like buying stocks that pay a dividend. If the stock falls you still get the dividend but if it goes up, you get the dividend but have the option to sell your stocks at a nice profit. Anyway, if you bought stocks and plan to collect the dividends for a few years, then the current stock price becomes basically irrelevant.
The same holds true for home ownwers that planned to buy a property and live in it. Don't worry if the value goes down. It's more important to pay the mortgage rates or keep the house. The "dividend" for a home owner , that's a nice life in a house.
Over here, home prices are so high and that's something for the upper class only. I will not put myself at risk by buying anything that I could perhaps not finance if ciromstances get worse.
Same in Vegas. I play my game and even if I lose it's ok. I am not looking for comped rooms but once in a while a free buffet is already something.
Greetings
My god people!!! I am glad I don't go on vacation with any of you!! Bean counters to the max!! If you would just save a certain amount of money that you don't expect to get back, spend it, I think you would have a much better vacation!
denver21
I guess Vegas was built on, what you call...."non bean counters", right? I like this term.
However, in the Vegas valley, and please correct me if I am wrong, there are living thousands of people taking full advantage of the casinos. They go there because dining is cheap. They get the slot play and all the other invitations, and they dno't gamble much, from what I learned. They like their life there because there is no state income tax, is that correct? Ok, energy bills are a bit higher because life without a/c is not really possible, but life is good in Las Vegasd....if you don't gamble.
So, we, the "bean counters" are not very welcome but the majority of the Las Vegas citizen are bean counters at its fullest. What's the point in being a bean counter?
I am not saying that you should live in a cheap motel and dine at a fast food restaurant in order to save 2 dollars, but the point is that most hotels have more or less standard rooms, same size, same beds, same tv on the wall. Some are newer, some are a bit older, and some are a bit away from the Strip. The further away, the bigger the bargains you can find. However, there are hotels that really take you out and on top of that, charge you a hefty resort amenity fee for using a gym (which most people still don't use). So, why paying for stuff you don't need if you can have the same at a much better value elswewhere?
Com'on, denver, but please don't sell me the idea that Las Vegas citizens go for dinner at the Bellagio buffet or to the Wynn or Palazzo, when they can have it cheaper and almost as good at Green Valley Ranch.
Greetings from Switzerland
Boris
Yes, it may be cheaper at Green Valley Ranch, Boris, but the operative term here is CHEAPER. You get what you pay for. If you don't mind eating slop, do patronize Stations buffets.
compared to all possible European dining standards, if not world wide, you guys in Vegas have BY FAR the best options at the best possible price/value ratios. This is, by the way, something I noticed about some locals. Some have become extremely picky and tough to satisfy that in my eyes it's a bit embarrassing.
Let me give you an example:
I was having Sunday early night dinner buffet at the East Side Cannery the other day this spring. Fair enough, the Cannery buffet is not top class but it's still ok. price/value is good in my eyes.
Here's this couple sitting right next to me and they have the entire table full of drinks, plates, salad, fruits, main dish, etc etc. It looked rather like a table of 4 but I could only spot 2 people eating there. As it happened, the lady complained having found a paper between her fish fillet. She made a big hassle out of it, called the buffet manager and it was really embarassing. By chance I also had eaten from the same fish and I can confirm that the fish was good. Anyway, the lady pretended as if she could have died had she eaten that paper etc etc. Finally, they gave them the buy-in for the buffet plus 2 comps for their future visit. Needless to say, they did not leave any tip. And they were locals.
I felt really sorry for the waiter as he had a lot of work with these two people extremaly hard to satisfy. And that's exactly what I mean when I say some Vegas locals have reached the point at which they forgot that they can eat at extremely subsidized conditions, and once there's a little problem, they think they have to freak out and let it out. Next thing would have been a 1 Million dollar trial suit. Wouldn't have surprised me at all, to tell you the truth. But I think the couple was happy with the free lunch and free comps for the future.
Speaking about "cheap", I think I wouldn't even have said a word and still leave a tip, my friends.
From Switzerland
Nevada Gaming Board does not consider slot machine play as gambling. The gaming board calls slot machines as entertainment playing. In Mesquite Nevada the major casinos there have their slot machine set to pay out between one and ten percent with the majority of the slot machines paying only one per cent. Nevada Gaming Board does not regulate the per cent of pay out on slot machines. If Greg Lee and Randy Black want to dispute that they have slots machines in their casinos paying only a one per cent payout they can call a local new conference and tell the people of Mesquite, Nevada that it is not true. So far they have not. So when you say you cannot win at slots it is no wonder with slot machines being set at only a one percent pay out. So if you play ten thousand dollars in their slots machine in Mesquite, Nevada you can expect a payout of one hundred dollars. So far Greg Lee and Randy Black have not disputed this claim.
Boris, that exhibition was no accident. Many people will purposely find anything to complain about and they know if they keep screaming, they will get the food comped and get a free meal. These are classless people and Las Vegas has more than its share of classless pigs. I assure you that was a planned exercise that these people carried out on many occasions. It wouldn't surprise me if that pig ate the fish soon after she got their meal comped.
jaquekeno
I also believe that the "butter paper" found between the fish fillet was actually a set-up by this pig-couple. The way they filled the plates, with so many different drinks and a chaos at the table and no good eating education, it showed me that these 2 people, Vegas locals or not, were only embarassing themselves. It was really bad to watch, and doesn't look for if this is the average Las Vegas local crowd. I hope not, sincerely.
I have noticed similar episodes such as this when playing in the poker room when people order their drinks. Some want coffee with cream and 2 equal and a bottle water, then there's a hot tea with honey and lime and a bottle water and a 2 sugar bags on the side, etc. It's really annoying to watch and hear what they want. And then, when playing poker, some try to grind out a few bucks, as soon as they win a pot they go for a walk, hold their seat for 30 minutes without giving any action (therefore keep the comp meter running) and then return , just to pick up their chips. And there are others , when facing a tough all-in bet by another player, start asking these stupid questions in order to get some tells from their opponent. Even if it's only a 30 dollar bet or so, they believe it's like the final table of the WSOP, and then, after 2 minutes or so, they finally fold their hand. Sometimes it's really embarassing.
Ok, I gotta run. Must return some videotapes. Speak to you next time.
From Switzerland