Politics, Payoffs, and Perks

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December 20th, 2016
Back Politics, Payoffs, and Perks

Having played in many different casinos around the country, I find it fascinating how different states pass laws affecting the way casinos treat their customers.

Let's start with Florida. Fifteen or 20 years ago when I began playing poker in the Indian casinos in Ft. Lauderdale and around Alligator Alley, I was dismayed that the pots could not total more than $10. That was the state law and the casinos could do little about it.

The dealers kept assuring me this would eventually change (it has, thank goodness). But until the changes in legislation came, the state legislature kept the lid on what the casinos could or could not do to make their customers happy.

In Arizona, casinos are not permitted to give customers free drinks. Who knows what perks the lobbyists gave to Arizona State legislators to keep that law in effect. Today the casinos do give $1 for each hour played in the poker room and that money can be applied toward food or drinks. But that perk was a long time in coming.

Nevada by far has the most generous perks to offer poker players and other gamblers. Some of the casinos give up to $1.50 for each hour the person plays poker. They also provide generous food comps and give discounts on rooms and gifts in the gift shop.

Being a journalist as well as a poker player, I am suspicious of those states where perks like free drinks or food allowances are not permitted. My first suspects would be the state legislators. Elected representatives have a long history of rewarding industries that contribute to their election campaigns. Sometimes you have to wonder if maybe the casinos came up short in the election fund donations.

Although I play poker in Florida, I am not happy with the perks. Florida casinos don't offer anything toward food or drinks. Some of the casinos overcharge on beverages as well as food, and that doesn't go over well with the players.

Players should question casinos where they regularly play and find out the policies toward perks. If it is state law that is the deciding factor, that is one thing the casinos cannot overcome until the laws are changed. But if it is an arbitrary thing, all a player can do is threaten to leave the casino and find another place to play. If enough players banded together and did this, that could cause management to have a more generous attitude toward those perks.

All I can say is Bennie Binion and Pappy Smith never had a problem being generous with their regulars. Binion had one of the most generous policies ever when it came to giving his customers drinks, food and rooms. And I can say the same for Smith, former owner of Harold's Club.

Casinos are beginning to hurt economically. Atlantic City has seen a number of casinos close because of lack of business. I predict more casinos will close in the future unless management gets smart and starts rewarding customers for their loyalty.

Wake up, players. It's your money that keeps those casinos operating. Don't let the casinos take advantage of you. Check out the politics and perks and find out who is making the payoffs. It can only benefit you in the end.

“Players should question casinos where they regularly play”

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