Casino Mooches

Nice post, sodawater. I have never slept on park benches or on the ground or where ever else these folks lay down for the night. I have never had to beg for food or pick food out of a trash can. But I did spend 3 months in a homeless shelter from my 18th Bday, when my step dad kicked me out of the house until I graduated high school that June and that was quite humiliating. And I have eaten in food kitchens. I can't imagine what some of these folks are going through, staring down life with no light in sight. Regardless, if they are in this position by their own doing or not, I try to think how they feel and what their life is like.

You are not supposed to give money to the homeless, but rather to the organizations that care for them. But I often give money to the homeless directly anyway. Two or three bucks, sometimes five bucks. I know many of them will take those few bucks and whatever else they collect and run to the nearest store and buy booze. And you know what....I am OK with that. I mean, I would prefer something a little more substantial, but I can understand these folks wanting to escape their life's realities for a few hours.

Now I also donate money to several organizations that I find worthy. And more importantly, I donate a few hour each week to a teen homeless shelter here in Vegas. I work in the laundry. It can be a pretty crummy few hours. Hard work and no pay...especially when it gets to be 110 degrees. I come home sweaty and stinking worse than any job, I ever had. And the kids can be down right nasty. I say 'kids', but I think they accept up to age 20 or 21. I think some of that is a defense mechanism. But it is also very rewarding. I probably get more out of it than those that I am trying to help.

Now this past holiday season, I bought bus tickets for 4 of these individuals to go 'home'. 2 to california, 1 to seattle and 1 to chicago. These were supposed to be non-refundable tickets. But guess what 2 of these 4 'kids' are still right here in Vegas, wondering between the shelter and Fremont street, only now they avoid me, as if I did something wrong. I can only hope the 2 that I have not seen, have somehow improved their life, but the truth is they are probably just in a different, but similar setting.

I had a point when I started writing this post. Now I can't remember exactly what it was. I guess we just do what we do. Do what we can. And hope for the best. And thank god, we are not in these situations.

Quote: kewlj

These were supposed to be non-refundable tickets.

So they sold them for half price to somebody who
was going there anyway. You just learned a lesson,
do it differently next time. Give them something
they can't return, sell or exchange for something
else. Most young homeless people look at us like
we're chumps. Give them something that makes
you less chump-like, they'll respect you for it.

Here's the thing, though.

Say I give a homeless person $5. He says it's for food.

Why should I be upset if he spends it on a beer?

Money = freedom. That's all it boils down to. Homeless people have the least possible freedom you can have without being incarcerated. If my $5 buys them a moment of escape or to feel warm and normal for 10 minutes in a bar, that's exactly what I wanted to happen.

It's up to the homeless person to spend that money on what he needs the most.

With regard to food, from what I have read, finding food is the easiest basic need to meet for the homeless. Why go into a restaurant and buy them a meal, if they'd rather get something else for that money? Is it somehow more moral to help satiate someone else's hunger than for another need or want that is not being met?

I think what it comes down to is that it's another judgment on the part of the giver. "You better use this for food, and not something I disapprove of," when the giver has never been in that situation or knows how it feels.

Quote: tsmith

A couple of minutes later the moocher woman said, out of the blue, "I brought you luck. You should give me some of that lucky money." I was completely flustered but managed to answer that I needed all the lucky money I could get for myself. I thought, why didn't she ask her friend for some money, why ask me? I felt so uncomfortable after that that I cashed out and went way to the other side of the casino.

I would have said something like, "And I thought we were just having a pleasant conversation."

I have an, I guess, anti mooch story. My friends and I were eating at the breakfast buffet at the Tropicana in Atlantic City. Outside on the boardwalk there was an obviously homeless person camped out on the bench. This couple snuck a plate of food out through the side door to give to him. He promptly threw the plate and launched into some massive tantrum (I was on the inside so I didn't really catch what was said). The couple sheepishly retreated back inside. Everyone inside was blown away at the scene, kinda laughing at the sheer craziness of it. I mean it was kinda sad since the dude definitely had some major issues upstairs, but wow.

I sometimes buy a sub or $1 burgers for homeless. Good feeling when I look in rear view mirror and see they have dropped their kits and sat right down to eat. Saw a woman literally dive thru the side door of the van she was living in to share the subs and soda with her kids. As for giving cash, things are so tuff the shelter here charges $3 a night to flop.

The people you see flying a kite on the first week of the month are the ones who do not get a disability or nut check. If you wonder if the panhandler is an alcoholic, check out his shoes. For some reason drunks have the worst shoes.

Quote: sodawater

I feel like a lot of people in this thread are boasting about how they dealt with "mooches," or at least giving advice on how to deal with them. But I say, what is wrong with a little human kindness?

I have never been in a casino asking strangers for money, but I imagine it's not a fun position to be in, whether truly out of need or even if running a scam. "Scamming" for five or ten dollars is not really in the same league as confidence games that are executed by well-financed scam artists.

The fact is, those ten bucks probably would mean a lot more to the "moocher" than to you. If you've ever given $10 to a dealer -- who has a steady job, and likely a home, a car, friends, and family -- then you should feel just as happy to give it to the moochers. What they are doing is a lot harder work than dealing cards, and they probably need the money more. Even if they gamble it.

Not sure you can compare a productive member of society (dealer) who is providing the patron a service, with someone who only wants free money.

Quote: aceofspades

Not sure you can compare a productive member of society (dealer) who is providing the patron a service, with someone who only wants free money.

I'm not comparing their contribution to society, but I am comparing whose shoes I'd rather be in. I'd much rather be the dealer than the casino mooch, hence my conclusion that the mooch is the one who needs the money more than the dealer needs his tip.

Quote: sodawater

I'm not comparing their contribution to society, but I am comparing whose shoes I'd rather be in. I'd much rather be the dealer than the casino mooch, hence my conclusion that the mooch is the one who needs the money more than the dealer needs his tip.

The dealer also likely has a mortgage, car payment, bills, etc. because they are a productive member of society. I give to charities and occasionally a homeless person directly, but casino mooches, nope - I have never heard a story from them other than "my wallet was stolen on the beach" and I am $1 short for the bus. REALLY? REALLY?!?

Quote: aceofspades

Not sure you can compare a productive member of society (dealer) who is providing the patron a service, with someone who only wants free money.

You mean AP aren't moochers who wouldn't jump at the chance to get free money, one way or another, no matter what it takes? I wonder what the HE would be if begging was a casino game, with the patrons as dealers.

Quote: GH

You mean AP aren't moochers who wouldn't jump at the chance to get free money, one way or another, no matter what it takes? I wonder what the HE would be if begging was a casino game, with the patrons as dealers.

Of course AP look for the edge - but AP also risk loss of money

Quote: aceofspades

Of course AP look for the edge - but AP also risk loss of money

The beggar risks loss of money through fines and confiscation.

I have no problem with helping someone that is down and out, or just in need of a little help.

Just the other day, I gave a young girl $10 who had a sign that said" 4 months pregnant and needing help".

When I traveled, I was always getting hit up for money. After a while I started taking my leftover food from dinner with me,
and when the "bum" would say "Can I get some change for some food", I would say "here you go, this is fresh".

Seemed to do the trick, and with that approach, they actually got to eat.

While I have never been approached by someone in a casino asking for money it happened numerous times every day when I walked to and from graduate school. I remember thinking of it almost like a toll. Eventually my spiritual director challenged me to actually talk to the people who were begging and ask their names and something about them. Something changed, most of the "regulars" on my route stopped even asking for money and we would just chit-chat a little. Most people just want to be respected and treated like a fellow human being, that's worth more than a few bucks. True, others just want money but you can find that out real quick by talking with them.

Had one of these folks approach me at the Showboat in AC a while back.

I literally stepped off the Jitney and was walking towards the automatic sliding door, when this middle-aged, heavy set black woman approached me and said "Hey! How ya doin?"

My first thought was... how does this lady know me? But alas I greeted her "Hey, not so good."

She replies "Awww, sorry to hear that. Listen, I was tryin to get a Cheeseburger. Can ya spot me $3?"

I suddenly realize why the friendly greeting was extended and say "Nah, I'm down 400(was actually up $200)"

She frowns and says "You need to stop gambling"

I retort "You need to stop begging, see ya!"

After hurricane Katrina, this Gweilo in a beat up station wagon full of mangy looking rug rats pulled into the parking lot of where I lived asking about good places to live. I first directed him to the other side of town where the projects were. Right before he drove off, he mentioned he was a NASA worker that got wiped out in New Orleans, and they were paying to resettle him. I then changed my mind and told him where to find the apartment office.

Quote: Buzzard

. If you wonder if the panhandler is an alcoholic, check out his shoes. For some reason drunks have the worst shoes.

Late 80's early 90s walking along the boardwalk late at night heading back to the car....guy steps out in front of me asks if I have some spare change so his kids can eat.....my mother is reaching into her purse when I looked at the fella and made the comment...You are asking me for spare change as I stand here in my $20 converse shoes while you have those brand new $130 AIR JORDANS on? He turned and walked away before mom could hand him some change.

Out west here we have a large Native population and you get asked for money in parking lots a lot of time. Came out of a specialist appointment once to be approached by a young Native fella who didnt come right out asking for spare change but said Sir I know you have likley heard this before but I am really hungry and need some money for a meal.....looked at the kid and asked him ...if you could walk into the McDonalds over there right now what would you order? Think he said something like a chicken sandwich..thats all he said...asked No fries or pop? got a answer that he liked fries and pop too but couldnt afford all that....asked what kind of pop ( Coke) told him meet me at the exit from the drive thru.....order the chicken sandwich combo upsized with a coke and fries and a few apple pies, ketchup and salt in the bag. Exit the drivethru and the kid is there in the parking lot waiting...gave him the bag and said I hope you enjoy your meal...hand it over with the super sized pop and his eyes light up.....looks in the bag and looks back at me and says..............sir do you have the receipt? I did it was on the truck seat..said yeah...ask if he can have it so he can go back inside to sit down to eat and get a refill on the pop when he was done
I know that was the best meal he had eaten in a few days at least and for the $10 or so I spent I did feel good about it.

Quote: sodawater

I feel like a lot of people in this thread are boasting about how they dealt with "mooches," or at least giving advice on how to deal with them. But I say, what is wrong with a little human kindness?

I think one aspect of human kindness is being courteous and not imposing on others. So, yup, I agree, when it comes to casino mooches what can't they show a little human kindness.

Quote: sodawater

I have never been in a casino asking strangers for money, but I imagine it's not a fun position to be in, whether truly out of need or even if running a scam.

Wait... "truly out of need"? are you serious? Who truly needs to gamble in a casino? I think if you feel you truly need to gamble you need to seek help for your gambling addiction. Casino mooches are ALL running a scam and giving them money just encourages them to keep at it.

Quote: sodawater

"Scamming" for five or ten dollars is not really in the same league as confidence games that are executed by well-financed scam artists.

On the bright side at least you acknowledge that at some level the activity is wrong. I'd call that progress.

Quote: sodawater

The fact is, those ten bucks probably would mean a lot more to the "moocher" than to you. If you've ever given $10 to a dealer -- who has a steady job, and likely a home, a car, friends, and family -- then you should feel just as happy to give it to the moochers. What they are doing is a lot harder work than dealing cards, and they probably need the money more. Even if they gamble it.

Honestly, this was the statement that made me respond. It's difficult for me to believe you're serious. I work as a dealer and every tip is sincerely appreciated because I do have to pay rent, and pay numerous expenses related to car ownership, etc. I pay taxes and contribute to the economy with my purchases and am a law abiding citizen (it's kinda hard to get a gaming license if you're a scum bag), and you truly think a casino mooch deserves the money more? Wow, just... wow.

As far as what they're doing being harder, I'd have to disagree. As a dealer you have to put up with whatever plops down at your table and to be quite frank some players are not a lot of fun to have to deal with. I've had to do multiple pushes on the same table where a player is showering me with f-bombs over the fact that I'm not dealing them winning hands. I've been physically threatened with violence by players. I've been exposed to players bleeding on the table and other biological hazards. And the casino mooch has a tougher gig? Incredible.

Bottom line, any money given to a casino mooch is money that will never reach someone that is truly needy. If you've got guilt over having managing to have a successful life you can alleviate it by donating to credible charities that will help some one truly in need, not a casino mooch.

I think many of you are confusing the casino mooch with the obviously homeless. They are two very different breeds, up to a point. I've tried to give food to guys with "Will work for food" signs only to be told they don't want the food I'm offering (no work required, just a freebie), they want cash. These people are the same as the casino mooch in my mind. If you've got the time to sit on the offramp with a sign all day, I think you could find some legit work that would not only give the person some dignity, but also enough cash to eat and buy the booze if so inclined.

Quote: RogerKint

Wow, I sure hope I don't run in to any of you people when I'm down on my luck. Hopefully you don't either.

I don't think it would be a problem, it is how you would approach it. If you just ask for money you are a bum. If you offer to perform a service, say sweep the sidewalk, you might get something.

That is what drives me crazy about bums, the something-for-nothing mentality. Instead of trying to change their so-called "bad luck" they just ask for handouts. When you spend your time drinking and doing dope instead of earning a living you tend to end up "down on your luck." So when you are begging for money after I have walked past a dozen "help wanted" signs do not expect me to offer much.

Quote: sodawater

I feel like a lot of people in this thread are boasting about how they dealt with "mooches," or at least giving advice on how to deal with them. But I say, what is wrong with a little human kindness?

I have never been in a casino asking strangers for money, but I imagine it's not a fun position to be in, whether truly out of need or even if running a scam. "Scamming" for five or ten dollars is not really in the same league as confidence games that are executed by well-financed scam artists.

The fact is, those ten bucks probably would mean a lot more to the "moocher" than to you. If you've ever given $10 to a dealer -- who has a steady job, and likely a home, a car, friends, and family -- then you should feel just as happy to give it to the moochers. What they are doing is a lot harder work than dealing cards, and they probably need the money more. Even if they gamble it.

When you give money to bums/moochers you contribute towards creating an atmosphere that encourages that behavior. It impacts the experience of each person who comes into contact with anyone looking for a handout, even people who have to change the path they are walking on the boardwalk to avoid the upcoming panhandler. You are free to do what you like with your own money, but know that you are contributing towards making these places worse for everyone else.

Back in my day, we didn't have road side beggers and bold, casino mooches.

People had jobs, and honor ... back in my day.

Quote: gts4ever

When you give money to bums/moochers you contribute towards creating an atmosphere that encourages that behavior. It impacts the experience of each person who comes into contact with anyone looking for a handout, even people who have to change the path they are walking on the boardwalk to avoid the upcoming panhandler. You are free to do what you like with your own money, but know that you are contributing towards making these places worse for everyone else.

I would be happy to buy a bus ticket and put them on the bus or buy them a sandwich. These are the top reasons that I'm asked for money. Guess what? They hem and haw and ask for the cash every time.

On the AC Boardwalk as elsewhere things are not always as they seem. Some of those wheelchair bound people can walk just fine and some of those veterans are not veterans.

Quote: MrV

Back in my day, we didn't have road side beggers and bold, casino mooches.

People had jobs, and honor ... back in my day.

Now, being on the dole is considered a badge of honor by some.

Quote: 1BB

Now, being on the dole is considered a badge of honor by some.

Some. Yes, about 47% of the population.

People used to angle for effortless wealth.

Now, it's about effortless survival.

The dichotomy between the haves and have nots in America continues to widen.

Quote: coilman

looks in the bag and looks back at me and says..............sir do you have the receipt? I did it was on the truck seat..said yeah...ask if he can have it so he can go back inside to sit down to eat and get a refill on the pop when he was done
I know that was the best meal he had eaten in a few days at least and for the $10 or so I spent I did feel good about it.

what if he wanted the receipt to return the food for $10?

Quote: rudeboyoi

what if he wanted the receipt to return the food for $10?

That's what I assumed was the point.

It is rare that a post on a posting board would have an effect in my daily life, but sodawaters post about being kind to the homeless made me think twice. Usually, I am very harsh to homeless people.

I live a very good life nowadays, and a lot of it was accomplished through hard work and taking business risks; however, a lot of it was through dumb luck. When I get on my high horse and my ego becomes larger than necessary, I like to remind myself that I am not as smart as I think, and I am where I am because of events beyond my control. I am not all that special, and for a fact, I am no more special than that homeless person, who may have a mental illness that he was born with or given because of a crappy childhood.

I also used to never give a homeless person money because I thought, 'what if they buy beer with the money'. You are right soadwater...who cares if they buy beer with the money, if it gives them five minutes of escape. I have never thought of it the way you presented it, afterall, $5 to me is absolutely nothing.

There can never be enough kindness in the world. So today, I added two more acts of kindness, one of which was to give my employee a larger raise than she asked for.

Thanks.

Oh, please.

When you give money to these filthy beggars you are throwing a monkey wrench into the workings of Natural Selection.

One of the reasons I don't like to chat with the "mooches" is because I don't know who they are and who they will have following me to the parking garage if I begin to show that I am willing to give them something to escape their demand. Sure, anyone in the casino could be a threat, but if I'm playing with you at a table and we are having a good time, I don't feel threatened. Asking me to hand over my money for any reason makes me feel threatened, and I didn't come to the casino to feel threatened. I know it's a small percentage that would do something violent, but if they know you are willing to give them some money to make a problem go away, who's to say they aren't going to follow you to your car and ask again? I hope I don't sound paranoid, but there's just something unnatural when someone asks me for money at a casino. I know it should be a "safe" place with all the cameras and security, but to me it feels like the opposite. The only place worse for a beggar happened to me last fall, when I was at a bank ATM on the weekend. I was waiting behind an elderly woman who was taking money out, and a guy kind of ambled up and started calling while he was still maybe 50 feet away. "Hey, I was just wondering if anyone had some mon-" I interrupted, "Dude, this this the LAST place that you want to be begging for money, unless you want the police here in 3 minutes."

Quote: cclub79

One of the reasons I don't like to chat with the "mooches" is because I don't know who they are...

Me too. Personally, I like to reserve my acts of kindness for: (1) people I know, and (2) people who don't go around explicitly requesting an act of kindness.

Quote: gts4ever

When you give money to bums/moochers you contribute towards creating an atmosphere that encourages that behavior. It impacts the experience of each person who comes into contact with anyone looking for a handout, even people who have to change the path they are walking on the boardwalk to avoid the upcoming panhandler. You are free to do what you like with your own money, but know that you are contributing towards making these places worse for everyone else.

Well said.Do some research and find a solid charity that returns the highest % of monies back to the cause they support.

when i got out of prison, a bum gave me bus fare. i dont recall if i asked for it or he offered it. but it would be easy to recognize i just got out. when youre released, they give you a onesize fits all pair of jeans with no belt, an oversized blue tshirt, an id, and a $50 check.

Walmart is notorious for people hanging around asking for money.Down town Fremont street is bad as well. At first I would give them a friendly/unfriendly TALK TO THE HAND & a firm "NO!" before they finish their sentence. A girl I was on a date with thought I was rude for doing that. So I came up with this. As soon as they ask me for money. I say with a disappointed tone and hands up in a asking gesture "OH man I was just going to ask you the same thing" that confuses and humor's them long enough for you to slip away.

Nowadays, I listen to them because I have been offered many times Walmart,target, pet smart,best buy gift cards for 50-75% off up to $200. I have had people come up to me in line and offer to pay for my groceries $300 worth for $150 they even will wait in line and then load them into my car. SCORE! AP. I must have the, -this guy seems cool enough to ask- look & probably not a nark. I love when they have fake watches. I say, "I know its fake Ill give you $40 take it or leave it." I have got some incredibly nice fakes that gamblers / especially poker players buy for $200 KNOWING they are fake. I know some respected people in the gambling community that knowing wear fakes (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) Big hint: .

One thing you can say in a casino (be careful how you word it) look at them and say, 'YOU KNOW I'M SECURITY RIGHT?"
This may not work if your a cute blonde like my Girlfriend She cant stand playing in casinos anymore if I'm not next to her. Guys start hitting on her, scammers ask/beg for money . Thieves got a bucket of .50c from her one time by sliding the plastic thing up between machines (even after I warned her of this) She cried and cried. She would not go back even with a 10% edge. She finally got over it. There have been some Strong advantage plays where we were on different schedules and she had to play by herself. She complained to me that same guys would sit down and hit on and or proposition her. I told her fist ask how much, Yellow chips only (: That was a joke unless this happen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th-5w26U8-w 2nd I told her say this, "I'm just killing time while waiting for my fiancee, he's a security guard here and should be off soon." then look around. Worked 99% of the time. The other 1% it was usually a security guard that worked there.

Quote: rudeboyoi

when i got out of prison, a bum gave me bus fare. i dont recall if i asked for it or he offered it. but it would be easy to recognize i just got out. when youre released, they give you a onesize fits all pair of jeans with no belt, an oversized blue tshirt, an id, and a $50 check.

Is it uncouth to ask what you were in for? NOMB, however I figure one would not bring it up if it was a sensitive topic. I certainly hope its for something Frank Abagnale like

Quote: AxelWolf

Is it uncouth to ask what you were in for? NOMB, however I figure one would not bring it up if it was a sensitive topic. I certainly hope its for something Frank Abagnale like

https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/jail/

Quote: AxelWolf

Is it uncouth to ask what you were in for? NOMB, however I figure one would not bring it up if it was a sensitive topic. I certainly hope its for something Frank Abagnale like

i was technically only in prison for 5 days before they kicked me out but was in jail for about 200 days. i violated a no contact order by sending emails to an ex. didnt even say anything threatening just sent about 40 emails in a month period that was a mix of i love you, i miss you, i hate you, im sorry.

Today... casinos are corporate entities. In the older days of Vegas, casinos were often viewed as the Mob or Mobbed up figureheads.

Benny Binion spent most of his time on the casino floor, he spoke to people, he called visitors by name. All of Vegas consisted of ex bookies and they had been bookies in times and places where it was not legal. They were not neophytes. They were not viewed as inexperienced in matters of bar rooms and back alleys.

Damon Runyon wrote about gamblers. I'll leave it to sociologists to analyze the various trappings that remain between Old Vegas Imagery and present day casinos but there are some similarities. Its a world of loose money and loose women. Its often a world of temporarily loose women who merely want to recoup losses. Even in dry or semi-dry Indian casinos where liquor barely flows at all, there is an atmosphere to casinos.

Part of the atmosphere is suspension of the real world. Here, you are who your money is. Everyone has a chance and if you wind up with a stack of chips in front of you, you are the winner, no matter who you are or what you do. And heck, if you don't wind up with a stack of chips, why go get yourself a woman for the night and you can still be a winner.

Casinos are a mixture of images and even in some bone-dry Indian casinos a zillion miles from Vegas, its still possible to catch a glimpse of Benny Binion's ghost and get a whiff of his bowl of chilli as you put a lone red chip in the circle and prepare for the Bourbon and Broad that is sure to soon appear.

In this world of casino imagery, we don't want the toothless hags, the crack addicts, the moochers or whiners. Its a place for real world troublemakers to get lost. You can buy in for twenty dollars but if you've been panhandling in order to get that twenty dollars it has better be well away from the casino. You can be a bum in real life but you had better be able to belly up to the bar as a gentlemen or you had better get lost. Its not a world that tolerates leeches. Outside the casino there are problems, inside the casino its a problem free atmosphere and security works hard to keep it that way.

So if someone wants to yack at you just to get your slot machine... you were there first, call security.
If someone want to mooch off you because they lost all there money.... you either call security or you make her put out.
If someone wants to panhandle for a living, that's fine... but you call security right away because its not right for it to happen in a casino.

Casinos, churches, barber shops..... there are rules.

Quote: FleaStiff

Casinos, churches, barber shops..... there are rules.

wouldnt churches be the biggest panhandlers of all?

Quote: FleaStiff

Today... casinos are corporate entities. In the older days of Vegas, casinos were often viewed as the Mob or Mobbed up figureheads.

Benny Binion spent most of his time on the casino floor, he spoke to people, he called visitors by name. All of Vegas consisted of ex bookies and they had been bookies in times and places where it was not legal. They were not neophytes. They were not viewed as inexperienced in matters of bar rooms and back alleys.

Damon Runyon wrote about gamblers. I'll leave it to sociologists to analyze the various trappings that remain between Old Vegas Imagery and present day casinos but there are some similarities. Its a world of loose money and loose women. Its often a world of temporarily loose women who merely want to recoup losses. Even in dry or semi-dry Indian casinos where liquor barely flows at all, there is an atmosphere to casinos.

Part of the atmosphere is suspension of the real world. Here, you are who your money is. Everyone has a chance and if you wind up with a stack of chips in front of you, you are the winner, no matter who you are or what you do. And heck, if you don't wind up with a stack of chips, why go get yourself a woman for the night and you can still be a winner.

Casinos are a mixture of images and even in some bone-dry Indian casinos a zillion miles from Vegas, its still possible to catch a glimpse of Benny Binion's ghost and get a whiff of his bowl of chilli as you put a lone red chip in the circle and prepare for the Bourbon and Broad that is sure to soon appear.

In this world of casino imagery, we don't want the toothless hags, the crack addicts, the moochers or whiners. Its a place for real world troublemakers to get lost. You can buy in for twenty dollars but if you've been panhandling in order to get that twenty dollars it has better be well away from the casino. You can be a bum in real life but you had better be able to belly up to the bar as a gentlemen or you had better get lost. Its not a world that tolerates leeches. Outside the casino there are problems, inside the casino its a problem free atmosphere and security works hard to keep it that way.

So if someone wants to yack at you just to get your slot machine... you were there first, call security.
If someone want to mooch off you because they lost all there money.... you either call security or you make her put out.
If someone wants to panhandle for a living, that's fine... but you call security right away because its not right for it to happen in a casino.

Casinos, churches, barber shops..... there are rules.

Thanks, I think you said what I was getting at. One of the few places it's socially acceptable to have large or medium sums of personal money out in the open. To me a casino is like a big quasi-unregulated bank, and can't imagine panhandling in a bank.

Quote: rudeboyoi

wouldnt churches be the biggest panhandlers of all?

That's why they don't like competition.

BOY, now THAT'S what I call a thread! Thanks, guys! From mooches to prostitutes to herpes to the homeless. What a tour!

Me, as a DC consultant who gave a lot to charity but was intimidated and distressed by the many homeless there, learned to walk fast and have a roll of ones on me at all times. They stuck out a cup, I stuffed a buck in it, everybody went their own way. Was a bunch of good NYC boys taught me to do that, and for me it's worked out the best. I also try to find a buck for the guy at the exit ramp, the gal on the grocery bench, and a fiver for the boot (local firefighters). Casino mooches particularly bother me as they do that great post 2-3 back; the casino is a bubble place for me. Out of time, out of space, no mooches, NO WHINERS (have fun or get up, for god's sake!). Hate to be bugged for a cigarette, rarely get hit up for money. Have been hit on plenty at the tables, but not for money; condoms are wise but uncomfortable. So for the most part, I'm still having fun, but I am seeing the same sort of changes the rest of you are; the genteel gambler is about gone, and I miss that part. Seems a lot like how air travel has changed; used to be great, then pleasant, then crowded, now barely better than Greyhound - same people, but you usually (not always) get there faster. Come to think of it, in college I loved riding Greyhound; met a lot of European backpackers, fellow college kids, etc. Not sure I'd get on one now. There: I do believe I've blundered through that entire thread.

Overall, when I have, I share. When I don't, a lot of times I still share if only to give thanks that I'm not the one having to ask. Like it or not, we are our Brothers' keeper.

Its strange.
There are indeed a good number of rude people in casinos and situations that repeatedly lead to strife: smoking, line-cutting, noise levels, poor table manners, etc.

I recall one movie scene where a bowl of asparagus was being passed around a dinner table and someone simply sliced off all the tips for himself, leaving the stalks behind. This "boarding house reach" stuff takes place in daily life and there is no reason it shouldn't spill over into the casinos.

Yet, when the guy with the boarding house reach directs his attentions to the casino he can wind up being frog marched to the backroom and being ejected as a card counter, however when he directs his attentions to other casino patrons and is a mere annoyance to the other gamblers he somehow becomes more immune to effective action being taken against him.

A woman who annoys anyone who arrives first at "her" slot machine is atleast going to stay in the casino and play. Some of these drips seem to be inside the casino solely to mooch. Smokers continually push the limits on the non-smoking decks of the casino ships.

People don't usually ask me for money...because I look like an old homeless myself!

We have this in downtown Nashville a lot, and in the small town where I live.

What I do is tell them it has been a long time since I have had a BJ.
And if they want to give me one then we can talk otherwise I am walking.
I usually tell this to men or women since I do not discriminate.

It gets one hell of a funny reaction.

KB1

Quote: rudeboyoi

when i got out of prison, a bum gave me bus fare. i dont recall if i asked for it or he offered it. but it would be easy to recognize i just got out. when youre released, they give you a onesize fits all pair of jeans with no belt, an oversized blue tshirt, an id, and a $50 check.

What happens to the clothes you were wearing when brought in? #PrisonNoob