Death of junkets

I'm reading a fascinating series on casino corruption that the Las Vegas Sun published in 1970-1971. The article I read today twice makes the claim that junkets make up two thirds of casinos business. Today, the junket is pretty much deceased in Vegas.
It's pretty impressive that an industry can lose such a large portion of its business yet continue to thrive.

Quote: billryan

I'm reading a fascinating series on casino corruption that the Las Vegas Sun published in 1970-1971. The article I read today twice makes the claim that junkets make up two thirds of casinos business. Today, the junket is pretty much deceased in Vegas.
It's pretty impressive that an industry can lose such a large portion of its business yet continue to thrive.

Junkets are very much alive from what I see happening.

Quote: MaxPen

Junkets are very much alive from what I see happening.

Where do you see junkets to Vegas? In the late 90s, a dozen companies ran them from NYC. By 2003, they were not advertising, at a minimum.
I can't think of the last time a player in Vegas told me he was on one. Maybe I'm missing something.

The Cal downtown brings plane loads of Hawaiians in every week for one. Laughlin brings in plane loads from all over. Buses pull in packed to the gills daily with organized trips daily to tons of casinos.

Definitions have changed.

I took a few Los Angeles to Vegas bus trips and Los Angeles to just across the stateline trips. They were mainly 'we drive, you play fake Bingo' affairs with a casino deli certificate thrown in. I stopped riding them when an armed robbery team took everyone's bankroll in the middle of nowhere. I also took a flight from Los Angeles to Vegas wherein the Tour Master lost a few customers to the airport slots but mostly delivered us to a dump in which our footsteps echoed. I recall being alone at the craps table as other junketeers mostly descended on the slot machines. Also took a few Los Angeles to Bullhead City flights when Laughlin first opened and everything was "water taxis" to the other side.

I've been on a few 'casino outreach' bus trips but very few would call it a junket. The drivers crack jokes, you get a 'free lunch' coupon and a death-threat if you miss the departure time for the return trip. Mostly casinos just contract with existing bus companies but no one requires a specific bankroll or closely monitors your play. Most appear to be slot players.

I took a flight to downtown Biloxi's executive airport long ago but had my bankroll and meds in my luggage which arrived at the casino three hours after the passengers did. That one required more than minimal "action". I was seething mad at myself for my stupidity.

I had a few Biloxi stays wherein one family would let me have their room or their daughter's room when their comped nights exceeded their desired stay. Free rooms free meals and all I had to do was check them out of 'their' room before I left Biloxi.

I no longer get offers of discounted Harrah's flights from Punta Gorda or Orlando but recall those all sold out within thirty minutes of the emails. Nor do I get offers from a New Orleans firm that would offer junkets based on previous demonstrated action in a variety of casinos.

A plane ticket to Vegas costs very little, casinos don't need to pay for prople to be there. Everyone has casinos around, so I'd say they're closer to dead than anything else.

Brings back memories! First trip to Vegas was on a junket to the Riviera! 1988ish. Ex-Wife and I and another couple. Deal was this. 5 nights. We got free air/room/buffet as long as we played $5 table game for 4 hours per day. So total 20 hours for trip. If we didn't make the 20 hour total EACH we would be charged around $1000 EACH. I knew BJ basic strategy and could count cards as well. But being woefully under bankrolled wife and I were afraid we might not make the 20 hours to save the $2k. Arrived and at check in were given cards we handed to pit boss each time we played. He would write in how long we played and initial. Variance was on our side and we finished our 20 hour requirement 28 hours after we checked in! Around even just flat betting $5. Essentially 20 hours each playing basic strategy. The rest of the trip was very relaxing!
Other couple the wife was not a gambler at all. Plain looking girl. Decision was made to plant her at a craps table just playing $5 pass line for 20 hours. Some doofus guy decided she was his good luck charm and he bet her odds for her when it was her roll. So she had a few hundred free dollars and ended up a bit.
So we were given free buffets B/L/D. After around 10 of those we decided to break open the piggy bank and leave the property to go elsewhere for a few meals. I'm guessing there are members here who can eat at a buffet infinitely.

Quote: onenickelmiracle

A plane ticket to Vegas costs very little, casinos don't need to pay for prople to be there. Everyone has casinos around, so I'd say they're closer to dead than anything else.

Also it is much easier to contact a host and get an idea of what your comp situation will be, so the middle-man (junket firm) is simply less and less needed.

Beau flies from at least six Florida cities, per month ranging from 1 to six trips per airport per month. I’m not in range for south Florida, so it could be more. Also sending invites are Silver Slipper and IP. Stopped staying at Harrah’s Gulf Coast with their resort fees, so I haven’t seen any invites in years to fly. Obviously the lack of craps/roulette hurts Florida in ways they know not, junkets are alive and very well!