Quote:Those attending Casino Marketing Conference told that giveaways not crucial to loyalty
For decades, gamblers in Las Vegas joined loyalty programs to earn points for free prizes, ranging from T-shirts to shot glasses and even a chance to win an automobile. They were also rewarded with free meals, hotel rooms and concert tickets.
This is how casinos kept players and attracted new customers -- by seducing them with perks. The catch is the perks only got better the more a customer gambled.
Now some industry insiders say it's time for casinos to reconsider how they market their loyalty card programs.
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How important are comps to you?
I don't think any of the buffets in Tunica are worth what they charge for them and if I didn't get them free I'd go somewhere else to eat which means I'd be leaving the casino and taking my money with me.
If I don't get a free hotel room I won't stay overnight which means I'd make the 3.5 hour trip a lot less often in the summer and never between October and April because I don't drive at night. For what it costs a casino to give me a room they get a lot more in return.
I think it's completely understandable in this instance to stop giving things away when you're not getting anything in return, but to ignore consistent players just because of their level of play is a bad move. Give them bigger comps and they might just spend a little more at your place; give them nicer comps and they might just recommend your place to someone with deeper pockets.
The overpriced buffet, the l-o-n-g journey, the no-longer free room ... all bespeak a growing trend toward "the local" getting the action rather than the gambler treking to the more distant and more comp-oriented casino.
Taken a look at those locals lately? Even the Indian casinos have "RazMaTazz Girls" (or whatever they call them) as well as a new Sushi Emporium (or whatever else is trendy). They are learning to have tie-ins with local merchants to replace a casino building its own spa. The Indian casino promotions are getting more generous and more expertly marketed.
It may have been that all those MBA types who "tightened the belt" at casinos and tightened the comp program noticeably may have been unknowingly tampering with "sacred cows". Its like that Green Eye Shade type decades ago: Its not the cost of those darned shrimp cocktails, its the cost of our stopping giving them away!
It costs $800.00 for us to fly round trip today and that will probably be going up in the near future. I love Vegas but if they take my incentive away, I'll take my play elsewhere. at least, closer to home. My best friend live in New Orleans and we can meet up with him in Biloxi and have just as good a time. Maybe better. My wife only requires a bank of slots and she's happy.
And it has seemed to me that over the years the emphasis has been on dining and shows in Vegas anyway. With their efforts at turning it into a family vacation destination they've been slowly pricing me out of the picture anyway.
I still have a 3 night free room at The Plaza that I have yet to use. Hopefully I can use that before it goes away too.
Think about the last scene in "Casino." Where Dinero/Rothstein/Rosenthal states that "in the old days dealers knew your name, what you drank, what you played--today that is all gone." In that atmosphere of one-to-one service comps meant more. Way back, the pit boss or even Benny Binion himself might offer you a meal or room. Today the drinks are limited in many joints. "Slot Points" have become a game in themselves.
Nevada has suffered another monthly loss . (June 6% loss in gambling revenue.)
They raised the hold on VP and slot machines, raised casino table game limits, and decreased table game payouts … so why not screw up the loyalty and comp program.
How about giving the public a fair shake when they play.
What motivates players … winning and dollar value.
1. Reduce the casino hold on the slot machines and VP.
2. Lower gaming table limits.
3. Increase pays.
4. Provide an atmosphere for return business and not take everyone’s money and kick them out the door.
Sure there are takers ( who do not produce value for the casino) however, my guess is that everyone walking through the door on the average is a $40 to $80 winner for the casino. (local casino’s)
Everyone wants value and it seems like nobody wins, because cut-backs defeat ….. inducement in my book.
Comps and promotions give the player some satisfaction in getting some value for their dollar.
This could be a viscous cycle with no Winners.
As others have said, I choose where I play, mostly due to comps. I play at Beau Rivage because they have very good craps rules, but more so because they provide me with a room, and flight, to get there. If the flight and/or room comp goes away, so do I. I like the place a lot, but not enough to spend money to get there. But, since they are comp'ing me, I feel like I need to concentrate the majority of my play at Beau. But there are other casino's that are just a trolley ride away in Biloxi.
I used to spend a couple of hours or so at Harrah's Grand. When I was a Diamond card holder, I would spend more time there, making sure I earned some good credits. But their Diamond Lounge went downhill in a big way, and my Harrah's play declined so much that I am now a Gold card. However, they have sent me $40 in Free play, so I will head over there, play craps for $200 to see if lightning will strike quickly, and probably run $100+$40 FP through my favorite $1 slot. So they will get $300 in BR risked by me, for their $40 FP. If that goes away, I have no reason to go to the Grand.
Same story at the IP. I have had terrible luck at their craps tables, so much so that I have not placed a single craps bet my last 3 times in the place. But, they give me decent FP (my wife loves a couple of their slots), and I had a nice win on PGP, so we always give them a couple of hours of action as well. Again, if that perk was to go away, so would all of my play.
I have heard the Palace is recently renovated, and completely non-smoking. I may hit them up on my upcoming trip, as the non-smoking aspect is very appealing to me.
Bottom Line - The Biloxi casinos are fighting for my play, whether or not they realize it.
Now Hollywood PA is different. That is the closest casino to me that I am willing to drive to and play, even though they are notoriously stingy with comps. It is about 6.5 hrs away. Hollywood, WV is about 4.5 hours away, but I did not care for it the only time I played there, and their craps rules suck. Harrah's Cherokee is 5 hours, but they do not have craps just yet (I read it is coming soon), and I am suspecting their craps rules will suck too. Anyone of these casinos could win my action if one of them was to start offering me a good comp. Even Hollywood WV could win, in spite of the bad craps rules.
But as it exists now, I will drive to Hollywood PA to play, but I do stay for free with friends. If the friends were not there, and Hollywood would not give me a room, I'm not sure I would play there either. I guess I am not going to pay money to stay somewhere, just so I can gamble money there too.
Yeah, that's about it. If casinos want to get really tight... let them. We will all re-evaluate our options and most of us do have options to go elsewhere and be at least no worse off. I really enjoyed the non-smoking Palace in Biloxi. Nice people, nice dealers. I even made some money at their craps table but was so dehydrated from my travels that I wasn't quite functioning mentally. Very helpful employees who offered me water and an upholstered chair. Much better attitude at The Palace than at the old Isle of Capri with its " we will not help you get to a different casino" attitude.Quote: SanchoPanza. No loyalty to me=no loyalty to them.
Quote: RaleighCrapsHollywood, WV is about 4.5 hours away, but I did not care for it the only time I played there, and their craps rules suck..
How can the craps rules suck? Not meaning this as a stupid question but never heard of it in the USA.
Regarding comps, the old Harvey's in Lake Tahoe counted odds in your "average bet" but I've never experienced this in any other casino. Do they now include the odds bets in your average bet(aka a factor in comps) any place(on earth)? Thanks.
-B
Every time I get denied a comp, I just tell the rep that Mr. Bougini wouldn't be happy to hear of this problem. Apparently Mr. Bougini is well known
Quote: NokTangHow can the craps rules suck? Not meaning this as a stupid question but never heard of it in the USA.
Regarding comps, the old Harvey's in Lake Tahoe counted odds in your "average bet" but I've never experienced this in any other casino. Do they now include the odds bets in your average bet(aka a factor in comps) any place(on earth)? Thanks.
As has been mentioned, 2x odds for starters. I will always take at least 5x odds if I can get them.
Vig up front on the 4 and 10.
2x only on the field 2/12.
They also combine your 4 and 10 bet. Buy the 4 and 10 for $50 each, and they will charge you a $5 vig, instead of the usual $4 ($2 for each $50 bet).
That is the one that is the most egregious rule to me, and would be really dangerous for me to be playing at. Sooner of later, I am going to get in a foul mood, and really rip into someone about how they can take 2 separate bets and combine them into one play.
Add this all up, and I say it sux, and will take my play elsewhere.