Caesars Entertainment Rolls Out Comp Drink Monitoring System in Vegas

News for CET players....
From Vital Vegas



http://vitalvegas.com/caesars-entertainment-rolls-comp-drink-monitoring-system-las-vegas-resorts/

Sigh, we kinda figured these were coming, huh? I heard the voucher system at Mirage was a nightmare and everyone hated it... These seem different though.

IF the article is correct, and in about 4-5 max bet hands you can get the green light, then you can still "get drinks for cheap" if that's your goal... Simply put a $20 in, play .25, max coin, play 5 hands then ask for a drink.

EV = (NumHands * AvgBet) * HouseEdge = (5*1.25)*(-.05) = -0.32.

So this would seem to mean on a 95% payback machine you're expected loss is only 32 cents, while you can then order a "comped" drink.

If you really wanted around it, just cash out and sit in the seat. When you're about ready for another drink, put your ticket back in and play 4-5 more hands max coin (again a 32 cent expected loss) and order again.

It did say Diamond/7 Star could probably still just get free drinks anyways, so there's also that (or just go to the Diamond lounge if it's open and get them).

One thing though... It did say if you didn't keep up play that it would turn red. Though, they said no time factor was involved for now. So I'm curious... Does the light stay green if you just stop playing while waiting for a drink? What if the bartender is busy and it takes him 5-10 minutes to get to you? Does your light go red simply because he's busy or slow?

Change is always coming in business and I don't see an issue with this. The only ones that will complain are probably not playing enough to deserve a drink. Serious players are not sitting at a bar drinking and playing these paytables either so it doesn't affect them either way. The choices are simple, either pay for a drink and not play or play enough for the "free" drink. Romes did the math for us.

Blame the people for billions in debt. Seems this might backfire because instead of eliminating free loaders, players realize they're playing more than they have to for a free drink and play less. Plus people who play enough anyway get offended if a snapshot doesn't look good. It is bad customer service and does affect bartender tips I have to agree with the article.

Actually the writers say they were against it originally, but have now evolved. And the bartenders interviewed like it. I may be talking in general terms, but the ones who now may have to be concerned about not getting a drink were probably not the best tippers either and may be taking up a valuable seat. Seems to me like you don't have to play much to get a drink. Remember, casinos are still businesses. Damn I sound like Dan.

I don't drink alcohol so it wouldn't bother me if LV casino charged for these drinks like casinos across America do.

I don't drink either but these bars probably have 6/5 in dollars so who is really the cheap one? They're not doing this because someone drinks for free sometimes, it's because of the bad bets the casino made.

Quote: Boz

Actually the writers say they were against it originally, but have now evolved. And the bartenders interviewed like it...

I believe it was because they can pass the blame on the casino now where it belongs when they can't serve someone. Before the bartenders were just trained to see if someone was playing enough, and wouldn't really serve them if they weren't or would charge them. Now, they can say "This stupid machine has to be green or I get in trouble." This way, they don't look like the bad guy.

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

I don't drink alcohol so it wouldn't bother me if LV casino charged for these drinks like casinos across America do.

It would more than likely bother 'most' that DO drink though.. Wonder which end has enough to actually impact the business? =P.

That's one draw Vegas has always had that all of the other places in the US don't... "FREE" drinks!

Although the article thinks otherwise, this system has been installed at some Caesar's bars for over a year.

Quote: Boz

Change is always coming in business and I don't see an issue with this. The only ones that will complain are probably not playing enough to deserve a drink. Serious players are not sitting at a bar drinking and playing these paytables either so it doesn't affect them either way. The choices are simple, either pay for a drink and not play or play enough for the "free" drink. Romes did the math for us.

I didn't believe people would actually pay for alcohol when they were in a casino till I saw it.

for years Casino Royale was charging $1 for a Michelob beer at the bar.
(there was no machines at the bar till recently.)

I always wondered why doesn't that person just sit at a machine, not play, and get a free beer?
the waitresses don't check/care

Quote: 100xOdds

I always wondered why doesn't that person just sit at a machine, not play, and get a free beer?
the waitresses don't check/care

I think within five years we will see a system for comping drinks at every slot machine on the floor in major Las Vegas casinos.

Why can't they just eliminate free bottle beer, premium drinks, and wine. That would still allow people to get free alcohol and draft beer costs next to nothing.

Quote: GWAE

Why can't they just eliminate free bottle beer, premium drinks, and wine. That would still allow people to get free alcohol and draft beer costs next to nothing.

I am not sure that draft beer is as cheap as some people think. I work with a lot of taverns in Las Vegas and they claim it is not a whole lot cheaper than bottles. Of course most of them pour pint drafts where most bottles and cans are only 12oz.

Quote: GWAE

Why can't they just eliminate free bottle beer, premium drinks, and wine. That would still allow people to get free alcohol and draft beer costs next to nothing.

I am not sure that draft beer is as cheap as some people think. I work with a lot of taverns in Las Vegas and they claim it is not a whole lot cheaper than bottles. Of course most of them pour pint drafts where most bottles and cans are only 12oz.

Quote: DRich

I think within five years we will see a system for comping drinks at every slot machine on the floor in major Las Vegas casinos.

I for one love the CZR total touch system for multiple reasons. It remembers my drinks and Diamond card members seem to always get quicker service. It also eliminates the guy not playing just sitting around for drinks. Seems like a win/win for the player and the casino. Higher level cards get you through lines faster, why not drinks faster?

For table games, does this essentially force players who want drinks and value some semblance of privacy to either play rated or not drink? If so there may be many who would be qualified who are turned off, similar to the MGM parking garbage. LV strip casinos are running people either to off strip properties or to stay home.

I have a personal recreational gambler friend who comes out to vegas for a week at least once a year. This past year, after a third of the trip and barely playing (IE didn't lose his BR), cancelled rest of his trip and flew home, said he will likely never come back to gamble, 6:5 at majority of $25 tables, the added time and cost(actually complained more about the time added) parking at MGM props and generally rude customer service from pit employees were among the complaints in his rant. Yes he found a few 3:2 at $25 mixed in here and there on the strip but having to hunt for a token table or two in a large casino was just a hassle and contributed to a poor customer experience.

LV used to be a place where someone could find reasonably fair games and comps for a fair days play at modest stakes without searching too hard. Now it provides neither for the most part.

The LV gaming industry is likely to wonder where it went wrong in 10-15 years as a result of a focus on fleecing cattle of their BR as quickly as possible with a severely reduced emphasis on reinvestment/retention, IMO. They'll blame ALL of it on expanded gaming and millenials.... Sure, the entertainment, pot tourism, etc. will make up for it.....

Good point about tables. If someone wanted free drinks, they could buy in, hold a spot, order a drink and never play. Kind of inefficient, rude, and beneficial mostly to loners, but still, finger in a dyke dillemma.

I've been around these machines a few times. The article seems to be accurate. The light usually turns on after 4 hands of max play quarters. When the light turns off (er... red) It does seem to take quite a bit more play to get the green light lit again. Like someone else posted, you're better off switching machines if your light goes off if you're trying to get a comped drink.

The most frustrating part of all of this is that once you sit down, bartenders won't give you a drink until your light is on. I understand they are just covering their own asses, but I don't appreciate sitting down, being asked what I want to drink, telling the bartender, and then either A- having him try to sell it to me because I don't qualify for a comp yet or B- letting me know the comp policy and basically standing there watching me play until the light comes on. Come on man, I'm not going anywhere!

Hopefully going forward, there will be a button the machine the bartender presses when he gives someone a drink, with a 15-20 minute timer, meaning he can't give out another drink for another 15-20 minutes. Same for machines on the floor. I think this would greatly increase my EV (even though I rarely drink).

Quote: DRich

Although the article thinks otherwise, this system has been installed at some Caesar's bars for over a year.

Huh? Where at?

Quote: RS

Hopefully going forward, there will be a button the machine the bartender presses when he gives someone a drink, with a 15-20 minute timer, meaning he can't give out another drink for another 15-20 minutes. Same for machines on the floor. I think this would greatly increase my EV (even though I rarely drink)...

-EV... The rare occasions I sit at a terrible VP bar machine to get some drinks before we go do something I want them coming as fast as possible. If this means playing max on quarters I don't really care... but keep them coming. 1 drink every 15-20 minutes would kill the pregame session and force me to be there for a while to not really get "pregamed" up as much as I'd like.

Damn kids can't handle 3 drinks per hour... and your loud music too...

Quote: Romes

That's one draw Vegas has always had that all of the other places in the US don't... "FREE" drinks!

The Mississippi and Louisiana casinos I've played at also comp drinks. Heck, at the IP Biloxi, I've seen people walk up to the bar and get comp drinks without even sitting down, let alone playing.

Quote: Joeman

The Mississippi and Louisiana casinos I've played at also comp drinks. Heck, at the IP Biloxi, I've seen people walk up to the bar and get comp drinks without even sitting down, let alone playing.

In Tahoe, Laughlin and Biloxi I have gotten free drinks at CZR Casino bars just by flashing a Diamond Card. Not even mine, but my wives. They never look at it and Thank You for being a Diamond. I always tip more than a $1 and occasionally throw a $5 for 2 so that helps.

Quote: RS

Huh? Where at?

I think it may have been the Cleopatra bar but I am not sure. I know it has been in use for at least a year at one of their bars.