Children anathema in Harrahs philly
Should point out that I have taken the children (ages 3 and 5) to Sands and Valley Forge in PA and never had a problem. Obviously, they aren't allowed on the gaming floor, that's the only general rule. In fact, at Sands, you can leave the kids in KidsZone so while they play in a Chucky Cheese style environment, you are free to roam the casino gambling.
When we arrived at Harrah's Philly, soon as we entered the main floor, we were surrounded by security and hosts berating us from all different directions that we had to immediately take the children home. They specifically said home which I thought sounded weird and not "leave the gaming area". We were still on the non-gaming side of the cordoned gaming area.
We explained the kids were going to be joining us at the Cove which is a restaurant on the non-gaming side of the roped off floor. They said okay but we had to immediately escort the kids into the restaurant.
At the Cove, the kids were given a warm welcome and we had a wonderful meal, the food was good, no complaints there.
As we were leaving, I asked security if there were any gift shops the kids were allowed as we had some shopping dollars. The guards stated that not only were there no shops the kids were allowed, but we would have to take them home immediately (there was that specific reference to home which for some reason annoyed me.)
I stated that we lived in New York and were not about to take the kids home at this moment. They stated hotel or home didn't matter but the kids were not allowed on the property.
So, I pointed out that we were going to leave the kids in the car.
"No, you can't do that, sir."
"We're not going to leave them alone in the car. One of the adults from our party will stay with them," I pointed out.
"Sir, they are not allowed ANYWHERE on our property. Not even in your parked car in the garage. They must be taken to your car and you must drive away, drive off our parking lot and past Harrah's Blvd which is considered our property."
Shocked, I stated the rest of the party would do that while I ran into the casino to gamble. I still had my free-play after all.
But, security actually followed my party to the car and insisted they leave the entire grounds. I had to call them on the cell phone and have them double back to pick me up.
I know this is not state law as both the Sands and Valley Forge casinos allow you to bring your children on the grounds. The reaction I received towards these kids was like they were diseased. On top of that, it made no sense since we were allowed to eat at the Cove Restaurant which is a lot closer to the gaming area than the inside of our personal car three levels below in the parking garage.
The whole incident made no sense.
So, fair warning, do not bring your kids (and I wouldn't even patronize) Harrah's Philly.
Quote: darkoz
The whole incident made no sense.
So, fair warning, do not bring your kids (and I wouldn't even patronize) Harrah's Philly.
My guess is that some bozo or bozoes recently left kids unattended in a car. And not wanting to risk MORE bad publicity, they of course over-reacted and treated you like dirt, throwing common sense out the window.
Quote: darkozI had a $160 food comp and $250 free-play at Harrah's Philly so decided to take the family to enjoy.
Should point out that I have taken the children (ages 3 and 5) to Sands and Valley Forge in PA and never had a problem. Obviously, they aren't allowed on the gaming floor, that's the only general rule. In fact, at Sands, you can leave the kids in KidsZone so while they play in a Chucky Cheese style environment, you are free to roam the casino gambling.
When we arrived at Harrah's Philly, soon as we entered the main floor, we were surrounded by security and hosts berating us from all different directions that we had to immediately take the children home. They specifically said home which I thought sounded weird and not "leave the gaming area". We were still on the non-gaming side of the cordoned gaming area.
We explained the kids were going to be joining us at the Cove which is a restaurant on the non-gaming side of the roped off floor. They said okay but we had to immediately escort the kids into the restaurant.
At the Cove, the kids were given a warm welcome and we had a wonderful meal, the food was good, no complaints there.
As we were leaving, I asked security if there were any gift shops the kids were allowed as we had some shopping dollars. The guards stated that not only were there no shops the kids were allowed, but we would have to take them home immediately (there was that specific reference to home which for some reason annoyed me.)
I stated that we lived in New York and were not about to take the kids home at this moment. They stated hotel or home didn't matter but the kids were not allowed on the property.
So, I pointed out that we were going to leave the kids in the car.
"No, you can't do that, sir."
"We're not going to leave them alone in the car. One of the adults from our party will stay with them," I pointed out.
"Sir, they are not allowed ANYWHERE on our property. Not even in your parked car in the garage. They must be taken to your car and you must drive away, drive off our parking lot and past Harrah's Blvd which is considered our property."
Shocked, I stated the rest of the party would do that while I ran into the casino to gamble. I still had my free-play after all.
But, security actually followed my party to the car and insisted they leave the entire grounds. I had to call them on the cell phone and have them double back to pick me up.
I know this is not state law as both the Sands and Valley Forge casinos allow you to bring your children on the grounds. The reaction I received towards these kids was like they were diseased. On top of that, it made no sense since we were allowed to eat at the Cove Restaurant which is a lot closer to the gaming area than the inside of our personal car three levels below in the parking garage.
The whole incident made no sense.
So, fair warning, do not bring your kids (and I wouldn't even patronize) Harrah's Philly.
I can't speak for Harrah's. Or any CET property. However, when I was in LV Harrah's in January, they were constantly checking ID's on anyone even stopped in the aisle of the casino, watching a game, anything in the area. It was so heavy I finally asked what the deal was. They said they had just gotten fined $77,000 for a minor who, passing through the area with parents, had all stopped to look at a game in play for a minute. (Not to sit down, talk to a player, anything like that; just stopping while walking through.) I don't know that it was that one incident or there were other crackdowns similar to that. But I suspect you experienced a company-wide backlash in enforcing prohibitions about minors. I'm guessing people's jobs were/are on the line about being strict on it.
Quote: HunterhillNo warning needed. I barely dare to bring myself to Harrahs Philly aka Chester.
Agreed. I can't think of a good reason to venture into that rathole of a town. I spent a short time working there 25 years ago and it was lousy then; can't imagine that a casino and 25 years of crack and heroin have done anything to make it better.
On top of that, they WERE allowed in the restaurant. So, this was contradictory to their own rules.
A Couple with drinks in hand were dragging their 3 rugrats (2 were toddlers) though the Binions pissed filled elevator at 2 am in the morning. Seriously? Don't bring your kids downtown and have them up at 2 am in a place like that.Quote: darkozIf it had ended with us not being allowed to have the kids on the same floor level as the gaming area, I would not even have thought too much of it. But kids aren't even allowed in your own car if its parked in a garage three levels below.
On top of that, they WERE allowed in the restaurant. So, this was contradictory to their own rules.
Parents waling young kids talking to street performers downtown Friday nigh well past a decent hour with men in dippers and half naked women?
I have seen many parents try to gamble with their kids standing there at places like Cosmo, Rio, Palms certainly not family places. How do people not know this is inappropriate? Never mind the law but just logical good parenting should be a clue.
Quote: rdw4potus...That said, it's pretty common to see kids at the track (even at Harrah's). I wonder what would have happened if you'd headed to the races.
Good question. I don't know why but "A day at the races" is considered a family event - kids are welcome.
Sorry, but IMHO kids do not belong in a casino atmosphere. Meadows has an entirely separate entrance and for the most part you cannot even tell you are in a casino. Even then I am not keen on the idea.
I would not be worked up about the "take them home" thing. That is just words and they probably thought it was nicer than "leave the premises."
The reaction was not one of them "being diseased." It was a matter of "why would someone bring kids to a casino?"
FWIW some people have left kids in cars while they gamed and IIRC they did make a law about it.
