gordonm888
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gordonm888
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April 13th, 2017 at 9:35:45 AM permalink
Obviously, most gamblers carry a lot of cash (and/or chips) around. Whenever I'm carrying large amounts of cash I wonder: to what extent are gamblers a target for muggers and thieves?

I usually feel safe within a casino itself because of the security guards and other security features. But, notionally, it seems like it might be easy to follow a patron as he/she leaves the casino and wait until they are in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant or hotel -or on a deserted side-walk - and then hold them up at gun-point or knife-point. This would be less likely to occur on the Vegas Strip, I imagine, but I wonder if muggings/theft are larger problems at Indian casinos or other isolated casinos.

So my question is: to what extent are gamblers targeted by criminals for muggings, hotel break-ins, etc.? Does anyone have some personal experiences with this that they want to share? Most of us know not to flash our cash, but: any practical security tips for gamblers that may not be obvious? How much cash are casino patrons willing to carry on their person before going into Def-Con 5?
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
FleaStiff
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April 13th, 2017 at 10:18:12 AM permalink
Its a bit like Willie Sutton who robbed banks because that is where the money is.

Casinos have money and casino patrons have money. Security guards are there to protect the casino but watching out for suspicious types helps the casino's image.

I would never go from the cage area directly to my room even if I was flat broke. As a matter of fact, I never go directly to my room anyway. Its always walk past the correct elevator bank then reverse course and make sure others do not also suddenly change their minds. Spending a few moments waiting for the wrong elevator and then suddenly moving to the correct one is automatic for me no matter what type of casino I might be in. It is much easier to detect someone on your trail that way.

Same thing when I get off the elevator. I turn in the wrong direction and then later reverse course. Anyone else who appears equally confused as to the proper direction is easy to detect and confront. Even in the correct corridor, I walk past the room by a few yards and then turn back. I would have to be being followed by a whole team of highly alert crooks in order to avoid detecting them.

Some people do identify big winners in the casino and then follow them to their rooms but that doesn't mean you have to make it easy for them.

I once took a bus to Vegas from Los Angeles. It was a Gambler's Bus. Everyone aboard had some amount of money on him, mostly destined for slot machines. A few weeks later, some passenger drew a pistol and told the driver to pull over, he and his companion robbed everyone of their wallets and then a third companion showed up in a getaway car. It happens but its rare and it sure was a "light haul" but definitely a concentration of 'good' victims. Its the same way in darkened parking lots: drunk or sober, winner or loser, its better odds than a darkened parking lot nowhere near a casino. Driving along the highway following someone has happened in smaller casinos that are in the middle of nowhere. These things sometimes make the papers but I always partly blame the driver just as much as I would blame a casino patron who walked directly from the cage to his hotel room. Its not a sensible thing to do. I never rode that Junket Bus again, even though I never again read about it having been robbed. I drove to Vegas instead even though it was far more costly. Was I being excessively cautious? Sure. So what?

Most people walking around a casino would be pretty good targets but even if you've had a really profitable time its best not to do anything out of the ordinary. Casinos offer security escorts without question and without hesitation. They do not want any headlines in the newspapers.

The Venetian is probably the safest casino in Vegas, places like the old Terribles are far worse and some low level joints in North Las Vegas are probably the absolute worst, particularly their parking lots. I no longer would venture into some North Las Vegas dive. While younger, I had no real fear.
MrV
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April 13th, 2017 at 10:45:03 AM permalink
I'd be nervous if I received a massive hand pay and the staff counted it out and gave it to me in public view.

Were I to receive one I'd insist we go to the host's office or another private location to pay me.
"What, me worry?"
Skeptic
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April 13th, 2017 at 10:53:07 AM permalink
Quote:

Were I to receive one I'd insist we go to the host's office or another private location to pay me.



Doesn't the floor already know you're a big winner with all the flashing lights, etc?

That's why I always have a disguise at the ready.

rsactuary
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April 13th, 2017 at 10:53:13 AM permalink
Quote: MrV

I'd be nervous if I received a massive hand pay and the staff counted it out and gave it to me in public view.

Were I to receive one I'd insist we go to the host's office or another private location to pay me.



or ask for a check. They usually take 30 minutes and you can pick it up at the cashier's cage, away from the site of the win.
RS
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April 13th, 2017 at 11:27:19 AM permalink
If you're a recreational gambler (non-AP), and play somewhat big action, it may not be a bad idea to use credit or at least front money. Obviously there are some down sides to both -- credit you could go crazy and lose all your money....with front money, you don't have access to that cash while it sits in the casino's bank.

But using those allows you to be a bit safer. When you hit a jackpot, take a check or add it to your front money account. At the end of the day, ask for a check of your winnings, or deposit your winnings in your front money account. At least that way you may have a less likely chance of getting robbed. I'd imagine a good robber would watch you in the casino, and if he sees you giving a bunch of money to the cage or at least not putting any back into your wallet or pocket, he'd think/know you don't have any cash on you, so he wouldn't try to rob you. Then again, stupid criminals are stupid, and you might get robbed anyway, even if it's for the $27 in your wallet and nothing more.
AxelWolf
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April 13th, 2017 at 11:46:15 AM permalink
I know someone that was targeted and ambushed at his house as he walked in, they were fairly confident a security guard was in on it and gave his accomplices the location.

If you are someone who plays higher denominations regularly, someone whos regularly getting lots of hand-pays, I suggest having a state ID(not a drivers license, I think that's a no no) you take into the casinos, one that doesn't have your real address on it(check the laws regarding having 2 ID's, especially one without your correct address).

Nowadays this can pose a problem because some places send you W2G's and your offers in the mail. You can use and old address and forward the mail for a while( I just use Romes address). Yes, that's a pain in the ass, but it for some, it's worth the extra precautions. Obviously, you don't want to use your loved one's address, a nasty mother-in-law or hated ex-wife's address might work.

If you gamble enough, then getting a PO box is a must.
You can just tell the casino employee you moved recently and just give them your PO box. Even then, sometimes the boothlings still don't or won't use the address you told them to use. Double check and make sure they read the address back to you. A few places will only allow the address on your ID, but that's rare, so you will just have to deal with it if it comes up.

American passports don't have an address on them, so that is probably the best way to accomplish all this.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
WatchMeWin
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April 13th, 2017 at 12:07:20 PM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

I know someone that was targeted and ambushed at his house as he walked in, they were fairly confident a security guard was in on it and gave his accomplices the location.

If you are someone who plays higher denominations regularly, someone whos regularly getting lots of hand-pays, I suggest having a state ID(not a drivers license, I think that's a no no) you take into the casinos, one that doesn't have your real address on it(check the laws regarding having 2 ID's, especially one without your correct address).

Nowadays this can pose a problem because some places send you W2G's and your offers in the mail. You can use and old address and forward the mail for a while( I just use Romes address). Yes, that's a pain in the ass, but it for some, it's worth the extra precautions. Obviously, you don't want to use your loved one's address, a nasty mother-in-law or hated ex-wife's address might work.

If you gamble enough, then getting a PO box is a must.
You can just tell the casino employee you moved recently and just give them your PO box. Even then, sometimes the boothlings still don't or won't use the address you told them to use. Double check and make sure they read the address back to you. A few places will only allow the address on your ID, but that's rare, so you will just have to deal with it if it comes up.

American passports don't have an address on them, so that is probably the best way to accomplish all this.



Sounds like you've got it all figured out! Just put on those high heels and skirt and Im sure no one will bother you.
'Winners hit n run... Losers stick around'
ThenWhatHappens
ThenWhatHappens
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April 13th, 2017 at 12:18:41 PM permalink
A friend of a friend was mugged in the Orlean' parking lot. He was likely an easy mark as he is horribly unorganized, often fumbling around with personal belongings and doesn't pay attention to his surroundings.

We don't worry about muggings when indoor on property, more likely to be pick-pocketed. We walk between properties on srtip and downtown, just try to stay in areas where there are other people nearby. Not that anyone will help or summon authorities these days, but at least you will be able to find a video of your ordeal online.

Confidence is a great deterrent, keep your head up and make eye contact, basically pay attention to your surroundings. I have called a "Crazy Ivan" when I notice someone change direction as if to follow us. We walk quickly so if someone is keeping up, it stands out.

As far as flashing cash, maybe avoid it right before you leave a property but if you're heading to your room or another game you should be fine. Keep your bankroll and incidental cash separate. I would not recommend flashing a grand when you stop on the street for a churro. Leave your wallet in your room safe! Bring ID, cash, players cards, and one credit card if you must.
Don't forget, "FREE" is a four letter word.
AxelWolf
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April 13th, 2017 at 1:28:53 PM permalink
Quote: ThenWhatHappens



We don't worry about muggings when indoor on property, more likely to be pick-pocketed.

Not that it would help, but anytime someone gets too close, touches or bumps me, I automatically feel for my wallet as a reaction.

Anytime I notice someone lingering or circling around me I start looking around to see if I dropped or left something. Oftentimes it's because someone else left credits in a machine near where I'm playing. You can tell a credit hustler just the way they look, move and act.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
onenickelmiracle
onenickelmiracle
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April 30th, 2017 at 12:36:06 AM permalink
Gamblers get targeted because it's easier and less risky to get $5,000 out of someone's front pocket than a fortress of a bank or store. It's not just about where the money is, but also about the path of the least resistance. There is less at stake for a police department to care a person was robbed of cash than a billion dollar corporation that can spend lots of time and energy on a matter, that for an individual would be pointless.

Being robbed, you'll either be targeted in the parking lot, stopping somewhere on the ride home or your final destination. You'll be most vulnerable getting into your car and where there aren't other people around besides a perpetrator. Dont get into your car if someone you're suspicious of is nearby too close, and on the way home keep an eye on people following you. If someone is following you, lose them, get off the highway or change direction away from your home so they don't know where you're going.
I am a robot.
billryan
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April 30th, 2017 at 12:55:00 AM permalink
In the past, I was a comic book dealer. A good friend of mine did a major show in North Carolina and afterward was driving home to Florida, in his van with his inventory and cash. More than ten hours after they started out, they stopped in a service area in Florida for a quick break. Getting back on the road, one of their tires started flapping and they pulled over on the side of the road with a flat. Just as they were starting to get the jack out, a van pulled up and three guys robbed them at gunpoint, taking cash and several boxes of the more valuable comics plus their cell phones. The police said video from the rest area showed someone approach the van and do something to the tire. They think the bad guys followed them hundreds of miles.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
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