Casino Vaults and Hurricanes
August 29th, 2021 at 12:53:46 AM
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What do the casinos along the Gulf Coast do with their vaults when they shut down during a hurricane?
Are there still security personnel in the vault areas?
This is not a flippant question. About five years ago there was a fire at Caesars Palace in Vegas that forced the evacuation of the casino. The entire casino was shut down. Security, firemen and police ordered everyone out as the casino filled with smoke.
As most of you know Caesars has two adjoining casinos -- the Palace Casino and the Forum Casino. Both were filled with smoke and both were shut down.
Players had to cash out of their machines and take their tickets. Table players had to put their chips in their pockets. Table game covers were put on and locked.
But wait...
At the Caesars Cage the two cashiers on duty were not able to leave. I was there and watched a fire chief and a policeman telling the cashiers to go and the cashiers said they weren't allowed to. They also said there was no procedure for them to leave.
Think about that. You'd think they could lock their cash drawers and walk out but NO, they said there was no procedure for them to abandon their cage positions.
And these were two cashiers. What about the actual workers in the vault and in the count room?
I never followed up.
But now that I'm watching the news about Hurricane Ida I wonder what procedures the Gulf Coast casinos have since the hurricane threat is yearly.
Are there still security personnel in the vault areas?
This is not a flippant question. About five years ago there was a fire at Caesars Palace in Vegas that forced the evacuation of the casino. The entire casino was shut down. Security, firemen and police ordered everyone out as the casino filled with smoke.
As most of you know Caesars has two adjoining casinos -- the Palace Casino and the Forum Casino. Both were filled with smoke and both were shut down.
Players had to cash out of their machines and take their tickets. Table players had to put their chips in their pockets. Table game covers were put on and locked.
But wait...
At the Caesars Cage the two cashiers on duty were not able to leave. I was there and watched a fire chief and a policeman telling the cashiers to go and the cashiers said they weren't allowed to. They also said there was no procedure for them to leave.
Think about that. You'd think they could lock their cash drawers and walk out but NO, they said there was no procedure for them to abandon their cage positions.
And these were two cashiers. What about the actual workers in the vault and in the count room?
I never followed up.
But now that I'm watching the news about Hurricane Ida I wonder what procedures the Gulf Coast casinos have since the hurricane threat is yearly.
August 29th, 2021 at 5:33:42 AM
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Quote: AlanMendelsonThink about that. You'd think they could lock their cash drawers and walk out but NO, they said there was no procedure for them to abandon their cage positions.
LMAO there is no way I sitting in a fire to potentially save a few thousand dollars in CET’s money, all for $15/hour.
Anyone who doesn’t abandon the cash in that situation needs their head checked.
BYE FELICIA
August 29th, 2021 at 6:21:56 AM
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I wonder if our resident "casino security expert" can answer that question.
August 29th, 2021 at 6:44:22 AM
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Wouldn't a vault be the safest place to be in a hurricane? If anything survives the storm, I'd imagine it would be the vault.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
August 29th, 2021 at 6:48:22 AM
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Casinos have had the past 12-36 hours to shut down. If there was a power blackout like in Texas they'd have very little notice and probably have to evacuate the casino floor once they got the phone alert from the Emergency Text Centers. Still not as bad as an imminent fire. Casinos were washed away with Katrina, so nobody should be there. If you have outstanding chips, I guess the house lost. Storm surge expected to be 6 to 9 feet, with 15-25 foot waves on top (?), and over 10" of rain.
Just saw a photo of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Just saw a photo of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Last edited by: ChumpChange on Aug 29, 2021
August 29th, 2021 at 6:59:40 AM
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Quote: billryanWouldn't a vault be the safest place to be in a hurricane? If anything survives the storm, I'd imagine it would be the vault.
I'd be content to be in a vault during a fire, if that was the only option. Hurricanes last for hours. I don't think vaults have ventilation. If they do, they probably aren't safe in a fire.
...on second thought, not really sure about a fire. I'm sure the money would survive the inside temp at 130F. Like most things with all that mass, once heated up, it's going to stay roasting inside.
Sanitized for Your Protection
August 29th, 2021 at 7:14:02 AM
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Luckily, we have our very own casino security expert here who can answer these questions.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
August 29th, 2021 at 7:14:39 AM
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Quote: rxwine
...on second thought, not really sure about a fire. I'm sure the money would survive the inside temp at 130F. Like most things with all that mass, once heated up, it's going to stay roasting inside.
I wonder if Canadian money would melt or disintegrate at certain temperatures. They switched their currency from paper money to something else last decade and people were complaining it smelled funny.
August 29th, 2021 at 8:29:32 AM
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No one brought up banks.
Banks do lock their doors and their vaults with no one inside.
But that incident at Caesars Palace makes me think casinos don't just lock up and leave... unless the Caesars incident was a big error?
During the Covid shutdowns there was still security personnel at the casinos.
Banks do lock their doors and their vaults with no one inside.
But that incident at Caesars Palace makes me think casinos don't just lock up and leave... unless the Caesars incident was a big error?
During the Covid shutdowns there was still security personnel at the casinos.
August 29th, 2021 at 8:57:47 AM
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Quote: billryanWouldn't a vault be the safest place to be in a hurricane? If anything survives the storm, I'd imagine it would be the vault.
I’d be concerned about flooding more than anything
August 29th, 2021 at 9:10:59 AM
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Quote: gamerfreakI’d be concerned about flooding more than anything
You'd think the casinos would have factored that in. Who is to say the vault is in the basement. After Sandy, my local hospital relocated a lot of stuff and equipment like the emergency generators out of basements.
Thankfully, we have a casino expert who doesn't mind sharing private matters with the world. I'm sure he will fill us in.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
August 29th, 2021 at 9:41:24 AM
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New Orleans mayor telling the world that everybody should stay off the streets and stay indoors until tomorrow as 40 mph winds starts to knock out the power. First responders will not be responding until tomorrow. 100+ mph winds expected in New Orleans.
August 29th, 2021 at 11:59:47 AM
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Quote: AlanMendelsonNo one brought up banks.
Banks do lock their doors and their vaults with no one inside.
But that incident at Caesars Palace makes me think casinos don't just lock up and leave... unless the Caesars incident was a big error?
During the Covid shutdowns there was still security personnel at the casinos.
When the pandemic first shutdown Vegas casinos, it became apparent that they never installed actual locks on their doors. At least some of them.
Sanitized for Your Protection
August 29th, 2021 at 12:07:53 PM
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Quote: rxwineWhen the pandemic first shutdown Vegas casinos, it became apparent that they never installed actual locks on their doors. At least some of them.
Same thing with some Denny’s, but I can’t remember why some of them closed when they otherwise wouldn’t have. I think it might have been one Christmas, or something.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
August 29th, 2021 at 12:12:17 PM
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In Oceans Eleven, they say the casino has to have as much money in the vault as necessary to cover every possible wager. So on a big fight night they had $150,000,000 in the vault.
On the Oceans Eleven commentary track the director says that's true and then hilariously the screenwriter says, no it's not, he just made that up.
The director was pretty shocked.
The screenwriter says he thought it made sense, wrote it into the script, then researched it and found most of the money is kept in the bank. The casino has only a minimum amount of cash required to cover wagers.
If there was some major windfall they couldn't cover they would just write a check.
On the Oceans Eleven commentary track the director says that's true and then hilariously the screenwriter says, no it's not, he just made that up.
The director was pretty shocked.
The screenwriter says he thought it made sense, wrote it into the script, then researched it and found most of the money is kept in the bank. The casino has only a minimum amount of cash required to cover wagers.
If there was some major windfall they couldn't cover they would just write a check.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
August 29th, 2021 at 2:31:59 PM
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Quote: darkoz
If there was some major windfall they couldn't cover they would just write a check.
They just have to cover 18 yo's in a row.
When a rock is thrown into a pack of dogs, the one that yells the loudest is the one who got hit.
August 29th, 2021 at 2:44:17 PM
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If the casino is going to shut down, they can remove the cash and chips. A few armored trucks would suffice.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
August 29th, 2021 at 4:55:15 PM
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The law in Nevada is that there must be cash to cover the chips.
What the NGC found out during the pandemic was that this regulation was not followed and to reopen from the Covid lockdown the casinos had to recertify their cash requirements.
This didnt get much press, but if you look back at the stories about casinos reopening there was mention of it. It was overshadowed by the other plans such as plastic dividers and temperature taking.
But back to the original question: those vaults?
I was watching CNN this morning and the reporter was standing in front of a riverboat casino. No underground vault there, right?
However we aren't talking about a branch bank of the Federal Reserve. For example the branch in LA has billions of dollars in it. As part of my news reporter clearance I promised never to reveal its security or the amount of cash. I'm one of the few who actually had access for shooting video.
I do know a craps table at Caesars could have about 800,000 dollars in chips on it... more if they bring in special chips for a high roller. There are seven tables in the main pit. Then add in the high limit Palace Court casino where they play five thousand or more per position at Baccarat. It's a lot of money.
What the NGC found out during the pandemic was that this regulation was not followed and to reopen from the Covid lockdown the casinos had to recertify their cash requirements.
This didnt get much press, but if you look back at the stories about casinos reopening there was mention of it. It was overshadowed by the other plans such as plastic dividers and temperature taking.
But back to the original question: those vaults?
I was watching CNN this morning and the reporter was standing in front of a riverboat casino. No underground vault there, right?
However we aren't talking about a branch bank of the Federal Reserve. For example the branch in LA has billions of dollars in it. As part of my news reporter clearance I promised never to reveal its security or the amount of cash. I'm one of the few who actually had access for shooting video.
I do know a craps table at Caesars could have about 800,000 dollars in chips on it... more if they bring in special chips for a high roller. There are seven tables in the main pit. Then add in the high limit Palace Court casino where they play five thousand or more per position at Baccarat. It's a lot of money.
August 29th, 2021 at 5:03:16 PM
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I was part of the opening team for a small casino in Northern Nevada. My boss told me to drive to the private airport terminal and meet a plane that was carrying the bankroll for the casino cage. It was the most casual unassuming thing. I was to meet Joe outside the terminal and he would hand me the bank to bring back to the casino. I see a guy outside smoking so I walk up to him and ask, "Are you Joe?", he responds with "Are you DRich?". We acknowledge and he hands me a large suitcase. I drive for 45 minutes to the casino and then we count the money. It matches the paperwork and we load the vault and the cage. About two hours later we open the casino.
It was strange to be handed that much money without any real protocol or count. He got back in the jet and flew home while I drove to the casino.
It was strange to be handed that much money without any real protocol or count. He got back in the jet and flew home while I drove to the casino.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
August 29th, 2021 at 5:21:07 PM
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I just reviewed the Gaming regulations in Nevada. There are references to US Treasuries for covering cash requirements for various activities.
August 29th, 2021 at 5:22:26 PM
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Is it for the chips in the rack in addition to the chips in player hands?
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.
August 29th, 2021 at 5:23:05 PM
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Quote: DRichI was part of the opening team for a small casino in Northern Nevada. My boss told me to drive to the private airport terminal and meet a plane that was carrying the bankroll for the casino cage. It was the most casual unassuming thing. I was to meet Joe outside the terminal and he would hand me the bank to bring back to the casino. I see a guy outside smoking so I walk up to him and ask, "Are you Joe?", he responds with "Are you DRich?". We acknowledge and he hands me a large suitcase. I drive for 45 minutes to the casino and then we count the money. It matches the paperwork and we load the vault and the cage. About two hours later we open the casino.
It was strange to be handed that much money without any real protocol or count. He got back in the jet and flew home while I drove to the casino.
Did the guy look like Joe Pesci?
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
August 29th, 2021 at 5:31:48 PM
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Quote: darkozDid the guy look like Joe Pesci?
Drich should have had a private plane to Mexico ready.
Sanitized for Your Protection
August 29th, 2021 at 5:34:14 PM
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Quote: unJonIs it for the chips in the rack in addition to the chips in player hands?
Good question. Here's my GUESS.
The regulations say there must be cash/treasuries to cover all chips/liabilities.
But a chip in the table bank or in the cage or the vault is NOT YET A LIABILITY until it is sold or paid out to the player.
I'd like to know myself what the actual rule is.
For example, what if a casino ordered a special run of 25th anniversary chips but they won't be issued for another six months? I doubt they'd need cash to back up those yet to be released chips sitting in their vault.
August 29th, 2021 at 6:18:44 PM
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Are we trying to figure out what Mississippi casinos do by reading Nevada regulations? Ok then.
I’m pretty concerned about Jefferson Parish south of New Orleans that is outside the NOLA levee system and where the storm made landfall, hopefully there were few people who stayed, I do believe that parish had mandatory evacuation unlike NOLA but I’m sure that isn’t enforced more pressing issues to be concerned with. They lost contact with Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish this afternoon, in Jean Laffite (Jefferson Parish, outside levee) bridge to the community taken out by a now sunken barge and rising water. Hospitals in area are also currently running on generators.
This thing has been a CAT-4 or CAT-3 for over 8 hours now and has been rather slow moving. All the chemical plants between NOLA and Baton Rouge also a bit concerning if they were to sustain significant damage that could potentially release toxic amount of chemicals to into air.
I’m pretty concerned about Jefferson Parish south of New Orleans that is outside the NOLA levee system and where the storm made landfall, hopefully there were few people who stayed, I do believe that parish had mandatory evacuation unlike NOLA but I’m sure that isn’t enforced more pressing issues to be concerned with. They lost contact with Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish this afternoon, in Jean Laffite (Jefferson Parish, outside levee) bridge to the community taken out by a now sunken barge and rising water. Hospitals in area are also currently running on generators.
This thing has been a CAT-4 or CAT-3 for over 8 hours now and has been rather slow moving. All the chemical plants between NOLA and Baton Rouge also a bit concerning if they were to sustain significant damage that could potentially release toxic amount of chemicals to into air.
August 29th, 2021 at 6:19:45 PM
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Actual banks are currently having some difficult time getting cash delivered to them. The coin shortage could morph into a dollar shortage. Keep your digital currency going though.
August 29th, 2021 at 6:33:49 PM
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Quote: ChumpChangeActual banks are currently having some difficult time getting cash delivered to them. The coin shortage could morph into a dollar shortage. Keep your digital currency going though.
Please don't give EB and Bill a heart attack.
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
August 29th, 2021 at 6:38:33 PM
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Does hospital wifi work during a statewide power outage but the hospital is on backup generators? I suspect you'll get 0 bars from your cell provider after a few hours..
August 29th, 2021 at 6:49:14 PM
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It is most definitely not a statewide power outage.
August 29th, 2021 at 6:52:53 PM
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The mayor of NOLA can still tweet despite 96% of NOLA in a power outage.
Next up, have the storm drain water pumps stopped working in NOLA? Yes, and the drinking water pumps have lost power too.
Breaking News: Hurricane Ida left all of New Orleans without power Sunday evening due to what the electric company called a "catastrophic transmission damage."
The Times-Picayune reported Ida had already left over 614,000 customers in Louisiana without power before it took out the power in New Orleans. As of 7:15 p.m., all customer in New Orleans were without power.
Next up, have the storm drain water pumps stopped working in NOLA? Yes, and the drinking water pumps have lost power too.
Breaking News: Hurricane Ida left all of New Orleans without power Sunday evening due to what the electric company called a "catastrophic transmission damage."
The Times-Picayune reported Ida had already left over 614,000 customers in Louisiana without power before it took out the power in New Orleans. As of 7:15 p.m., all customer in New Orleans were without power.
Last edited by: ChumpChange on Aug 29, 2021
August 29th, 2021 at 6:53:19 PM
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Quote: ChumpChangeActual banks are currently having some difficult time getting cash delivered to them. The coin shortage could morph into a dollar shortage. Keep your digital currency going though.
There's nothing wrong with digital currency just as there's no problem with bartering cans of beans, strings of beads, and 90% silver dimes.
There is only a problem when someone else won't accept them.
August 29th, 2021 at 7:01:19 PM
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Quote: ChumpChangeThe mayor of NOLA can still tweet despite 96% of NOLA in a power outage.
One would assume local government would have access to generators, no surprise.
August 29th, 2021 at 7:28:03 PM
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Quote: darkozDid the guy look like Joe Pesci?
I watched "Night Of The Running Man" (1995) on Amazon Prime last night.
Night of the Running Man - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Running_Man
Chambers himself skimmed the money from mob boss August Gurino.
Last edited by: ChumpChange on Aug 29, 2021
August 30th, 2021 at 8:46:45 AM
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Quote: rxwineDrich should have had a private plane to Mexico ready.
I didn't know that I would be picking up the cash until about an hour before. Besides, it was not enough cash for me to want to abscond to another country.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
