Junkets

While I've read in the past about trips arranged to specific destinations for gamblers - junkets - I've never given them much thought, as I figured such trips were for really serious gamblers, with big bankrolls. Recently, however, my wife received a mailer advertising round-trip flight on Allegiant and three night stay for two, at a casino resort destination in northeast Nevada. Price PP is reasonable, at $169 - $189 and includes RT airfare, lodging and "valuable" dining and other coupons. Checking the destination on TripAdvisor, I read mostly positive reviews of the hotels and casinos. I was really surprised to see that table game minimums were advertised at $5 - $1000: that fits my budget, as does the cost of travel. From our local airport to LAS, you can count on paying double the advertised price of the junket, RT, and still have to worry about lodging expenses. The mailer was addressed to my wife, as well as "or current resident," so I assume that we were not selected exclusively based on one of our prior gambling trips, and that this offer is available to anyone. The offer seems like a good deal for folks who live a distance from any gambling destination, but especially far from Nevada, where gaming opportunities are plentiful.

So, has anyone had experience with junkets - positive or negative? Are the advertised costs accurate, or are there hidden costs one learns about only during the trip? Do the organizers require that you give all of your action solely to the casino at the hotel where you stay, or can you spread your action around at any casino near the destination? Is this a sales pitch? Where do they make their money; on the belief that you'll gamble enough there to make their discounted offer profitable? I am somewhat excited about the offer, as RT air and three nights at a gambling destination seems like the perfect getaway for two, but I'm also wary that I may be missing something in the "fine print" that would detract from the enjoyment or value of the offer.

Quote: newshooter

While I've read in the past about trips arranged to specific destinations for gamblers - junkets - I've never given them much thought, as I figured such trips were for really serious gamblers, with big bankrolls. Recently, however, my wife received a mailer advertising round-trip flight on Allegiant and three night stay for two, at a casino resort destination in northeast Nevada. Price PP is reasonable, at $169 - $189 and includes RT airfare, lodging and "valuable" dining and other coupons. Checking the destination on TripAdvisor, I read mostly positive reviews of the hotels and casinos. I was really surprised to see that table game minimums were advertised at $5 - $1000: that fits my budget, as does the cost of travel. From our local airport to LAS, you can count on paying double the advertised price of the junket, RT, and still have to worry about lodging expenses. The mailer was addressed to my wife, as well as "or current resident," so I assume that we were not selected exclusively based on one of our prior gambling trips, and that this offer is available to anyone. The offer seems like a good deal for folks who live a distance from any gambling destination, but especially far from Nevada, where gaming opportunities are plentiful.

So, has anyone had experience with junkets - positive or negative? Are the advertised costs accurate, or are there hidden costs one learns about only during the trip? Do the organizers require that you give all of your action solely to the casino at the hotel where you stay, or can you spread your action around at any casino near the destination? Is this a sales pitch? Where do they make their money; on the belief that you'll gamble enough there to make their discounted offer profitable? I am somewhat excited about the offer, as RT air and three nights at a gambling destination seems like the perfect getaway for two, but I'm also wary that I may be missing something in the "fine print" that would detract from the enjoyment or value of the offer.

There are basically 2 types of junkets. Ones that is run by the casino and ones that are run by an outside company. The ones run directly by the casino are pretty straightforward. You pay what they say, sometimes there are other fees like the resort fees but usually they are not deal breaker amounts. They of course want you to play there but there is nothing stopping you from going elsewhere to play. If they don't think you played enough then they will not send you any other offers. Now the ones that are run by an outside company are a little different. There is usually fine print that says you must average X amount of wagers to qualify. They will usually need a credit card to book the reservation and if you don't meet the minimum requirements they will charge you the higher price for room and airfare. These types though usually are not mass mailed. These are the ones that you go looking for online and when you book the junket they tell you what it would cost based on your estimated play.

If you are concerned then I would just call them and ask your questions. I wouldn't mentioned that you planned on playing elsewhere but I would ask if they have a gambling requirement. Post here if you find any important details so others will benefit from your experience.

here is a good article that I had that talks about junkets. If I am reading correctly the only time they are really concerned about your play is on the free junkets. When you are paying, even a small amount, they couldn't care less about your play.

http://www.smartgaming.com/Articles/gambling_tips_inside_look_casino_junket.html

"So now you are responsible to fill the plane with 120 qualified players. How do you do that?

Sandy Crammer: I have an extensive list of 20,000 or so casino players in our computer database. For each player I know their past play history as far as how many trips they have taken, how long they play, what their average bet size is, how much they won or lost and their theoretical. I then mail out about 7,000 letters per month to those players that have in the past met the play requirements that Harrah’s is looking for. The qualified players that respond to our mailings get a seat on the plane. If I can’t fill the plane completely with qualified players then I invite players on the next tier that would have to pay the $179 fee for air and room."

I have been on several junkets. The day junkets I did out west required you to have flash money (300-500/person min: they would tell you how much) and an ID. They would fly you to Reno or Las Vegas, disembark you directly onto buses parked on the ramp, and take you to a remote casino without the opportunity to rent a car or get a taxi or shuttle in the terminal. You had to wear name tags so they could track your gaming, were not allowed to leave that casino, and there were trip leaders who would walk around with clipboards, checking your play (I think for whether you'd be invited on future visits). They required you to use players' cards. But the airfare was free. On the way back, the buses would drop you at the terminal for normal departure at a gate (guess they figured they had your money by then). I always found that funny. They would party on the plane in both directions, with drinks and snacks.

I've also done multi-day junkets like you got mailed. They provide similar services to the above for transportation, and it's a charter, not commercial, but once they get you to your hotel, you can go to other casinos on your own power and at your own expense, as if you'd travelled on your own. The amount they charge you is reflective of your past play, and can be comped. The offer you received is based on your wife's play, but the fee represents the bare-bones cost of the flight to the casino per person, and comped rooms; comped flights will not say "or current resident"; they'll be non-transferable, and based on your play. My offers are usually free to me, and an additional person can go with me for x amount. I used to get me and companion for free, but I scaled down my gambling on retirement and fell out of that category of comps. They will evaluate the both of you and may offer either discounts or comped flights in the future if they want your repeat business.

It's usually a 3rd party running the service under contract to a casino or chain. Your flight may or may not stop at another airport for more people before heading for your destination; here in Florida, there are about 5 areas they draw from, with ours usually the furthest north, so there are sometimes people already on from Ft. Lauderdale/Miami when we board.

>or current resident
That just affects whether they have to pay return postage if its undeliverable. Means nothing to or about you.

The junket runner is just like the casino... they want to see ACTION, not talk,

Some things to watch for:
Being separated from your luggage. Don't have your meds or your cash in your luggage. Sometimes you will be at a casino twenty minutes after you land but your luggage will take four hours. Same thing with car keys on your way home. Pocket, not luggage.

Gambling elsewhere: this is very frowned upon. Casinos don't like it; Junket leaders don't like it. Don't expect future invitations if you sneak out, you will have a black mark. Junket leaders sell "a planefull of gamblers" not "a planefull of casino hoppers or gawkers"

Some casinos would be pretty nice places but for any number of reasons they are deserted. The casino pays to fill up the place and hopes you all lose enough to make it profitable. I'd say you have nothing much to lose on the deal so GO FOR IT.

NOTE: Some of those flights fill up right away and when you call, CET will try to "bait and switch" you after looking at your history. So my advice would be call promptly.

Thanks for all the response; the information's very helpful. On its face, it looks like a good offer for someone like me who enjoys vacationing in gaming destinations, so I'll check it out a little further and see where that leads. Thanks again, all!