Lost Slot Ticket - Would This Have been Handled Differently in Vegas?

Today I was playing slots at a Mid-Atlantic area casino and accidentally walked away from the machine without taking my ticket (it was not huge, but over $100). I made it like 30 feet from the machine before realizing my mistake, literally sprinted back to the machine, but of course the machine had been zeroed out. I immediately alerted the casino staff to what had happened, but was already accepting the fact that I'd probably lost my money. Since the machines were TITO, the casino could see how much I had cashed out at and see the ticket had been already redeemed (which is actually more information than I expected them to provide). The floor manager said "Sorry" and walked off and made no effort to do anything else about it whatsoever.

Obviously, this is the casino's operating policy, and you agree to it the moment you place a bet anywhere on their property. If this had happened in AC or LV though, would the casino have treated it differently? Looking back, the ticket was probably cashed out between the time I first alerted a cashier and the time the floor manager looked into it, and casinos give out free slot play like candy anyway. Had they made any gesture to say they sympathized and wanted me to enjoy the rest of my day (free slot play, lunch comp, etc) I would have stayed, but that ended my day and I probably won't return, given their high table limits. I'm just curious if I could have expected this anywhere or it's also due to the fact the casino has no competition for over 100 miles around it.

Quote: silversonic2006

... the casino could see how much I had cashed out at and see the ticket had been already redeemed (which is actually more information than I expected them to provide). The floor manager said "Sorry" and walked off and made no effort to do anything else about it whatsoever.

Considering how often you see reminders to not leave credits on machines, I'm surprised they did that much.

Then again, if they were able to do it faster, they could have cancelled the TITO ticket before it was cashed, and gotten you your money.

But, since they couldn't do that, why do you expect them to do anything for you? Do they owe you anything? Were they responsible for your error?

Taking someone else's ticket out of a machine is the same as grabbing their coins out of the hopper. It is unfortunate that they did not reimburse you, or try to track down the nogoodnik with their security footage.

I'm not mad at the floor manager's ruling; I didn't expect them to do anything. I fully accept that if the casino wants to say "Sorry, tough luck" in a situation like mine, then that's their choice to make and as a casino guest, I accept that ruling when I play there. I'm just curious to know if a casino in a more competitive market would have done anything else for a guest. Sounds like the answer is probably not.

It's called customer service. But with no competition with 100 miles some managers have no skills.Doubt that jerk even alerted security to look out for the thief in case he is a regular or returns again. Did they take any sort of statement from you ?, save the tape, offer any sort of comp? IDIOTS !

In Vegas I think they would have treated it like a lost sports ticket. First they would have voided the ticket, if it had not been cashed yet, which it probably would have been by the time they found a slot tech. If you were lucky and it hadn't been cashed then then you would have had to wait until the expiration period had expired to get your money.

Thank you for the info, Wizard. I appreciate it.

Well, I'm tempted to say 'serves you right for being foolish enough to play a slot machine in the first place'. However, we've all done such things. Usually its not for over a hundred, usually its for less than 20.00. However, the casino is the one with the cameras and for that amount of money should probably have done more.

Main lesson: Hit the darned CashOut button ... and do it at a different casino.

Believe me, I will.

I think I'll stick at AC/LV from here on out for my gaming. Granted, AC is going through some tough times right now, but I feel like they try harder with their players in general, especially the Tropicana. I'm a $10 or less tables player (I don't even like $15) and wager at most about $1.00 a pull at slots, and the Trop has not only comped my room the last 3-4 times I've stayed, they've usually upgraded my room from what I reserved (including suites).

I just feel like AC really tries to make players feel welcome, and that effort is missing from the new casinos in WV/DE/PA that have cropped up. It gives me hope AC will pull through the recession and thrive.

I remember when AC opened. Merv Griffin's Resort casino I believe was the first one. $10 admission charge first few months.