Maryland Live! is Evil

I'm usually the last person to call a casino evil, I'll jokingly call Caesar's the Evil Empire but in reality they're providing a service and people (at least) have the ability to know what they're getting themselves into.

Then I heard the latest Maryland Live! promotion.

$750,000 Credit Card Wipeout

So basically, they're (directly) targeting people who are already in debt to play a negative expectation game in hopes of wiping out their debt. It's kind of like advertising outside of an AA meeting with half off drink coupons. This is just a random-ass promotion, there was absolutely no need to say "credit card" or "debt".

I'm not trying to say this should be legislated away (although knowing Maryland, I wouldn't put it past them) - but it will affect me doing business there from now on.

Quote: ahiromu

it will affect me doing business there from now on.

Good for you! I agree this is a particularly sleazy promo. And also a promo I wouldn't be well-suited for, fortunately. When clicking on the page though, I'm guessing winners don't have to put it toward credit cards. But it's still setting a bad example.

Quote: ahiromu

So basically, they're (directly) targeting people who are already in debt to play a negative expectation game in hopes of wiping out their debt. It's kind of like advertising outside of an AA meeting with half off drink coupons.

Whoa there!!

"People who are already in debt"... that's just about everyone mate!
And those who have credit cards tend to put a bit extra on them during the holidays, so here again you are dealing with just about everyone. Its not an encouragement to go out and load up your credit cards because its all going to be zeroed out at the casino.

Its no worse than offering a free tank of gasoline ... most people have cars.
Or offering free buffets for a year... most people already eat.

Is it rather illusory? Yes. Zillions of "entries", then you have to win and then you have to win again and get that 10x multiplier ... sure its "possible" to hit 10x, but far more likely to hit 1x. No worse than any other casino promotion marketing.

Quote: ahiromu

I'm not trying to say this should be legislated away (although knowing Maryland, I wouldn't put it past them) - but it will affect me doing business there from now on.

These promos are sadly common during the post-holiday season. Parx is currently running one as well, as is one of the Palm Springs area casinos - I already deleted that email, but I think it was Fantasy Springs.