The facts

[Tedlark]

DaBurglar thank you for jumping into the Delorean and taking us back in time as you retell, again, your Las Vegas glory days circa 1996 - 2005.

As for what refering to what is being discussed here in this thread as a little more complex, it may be a little more complex to yoou but not to the rest of us.

Moving to your most recent post: why, if you already know that most "Super-wealthy" do not want anything to do with casinos or Las Vegas, do you bring them into the discussion if they are not relevant?

And to me, the very nature of casinos is greed on the part of the gambler and not the casinos themselves.

[royalflusher111]

Here are a few FACTS to dispute some of the claims in this thread:

There are dozens of "High-end" nightclubs in Vegas that generate 30-60 million dollars in revenue every year with enormous profit margins. Shows are not far behind in revenue. Most estimates are now near 50/50 in regards to revenue between gambling and all other activities offered by Vegas casinos (food, drinks, shows, shopping, etc). However, the profit from many of the non-gambling activities are significantly higher.

Properties like Caesars Entertainment (formerly Harrahs) have drastically changed their comps in the last year. I used to receive "reel rewards" offers (free play) in the range from $800-$1,200 for years just to show up. Last year, the same offers are now $300. I am a Seven Star and have received offers and free play that 3-4 times today's offers when I was only a Diamond member. Food? Caesars again changed the comp system and I now can't even get some meals or charges comped after my stay. Needless to say, I am looking at other properties that I will be switching to this year.

[DaBurglar]

Here are a few FACTS to dispute some of the claims in this thread:

There are dozens of "High-end" nightclubs in Vegas that generate 30-60 million dollars in revenue every year with enormous profit margins. Shows are not far behind in revenue. Most estimates are now near 50/50 in regards to revenue between gambling and all other activities offered by Vegas casinos (food, drinks, shows, shopping, etc). However, the profit from many of the non-gambling activities are significantly higher.

Properties like Caesars Entertainment (formerly Harrahs) have drastically changed their comps in the last year. I used to receive "reel rewards" offers (free play) in the range from $800-$1,200 for years just to show up. Last year, the same offers are now $300. I am a Seven Star and have received offers and free play that 3-4 times today's offers when I was only a Diamond member. Food? Caesars again changed the comp system and I now can't even get some meals or charges comped after my stay. Needless to say, I am looking at other properties that I will be switching to this year.

Interesting post, although I am not certain what your overall conclusion is......but what you describe does indeed highlight the complexity of the overall Vegas economy.    The point you made about your free play being reduced is symptomatic of most of the larger Casino Properties owned by publicly traded corporations.....as the gambling gets de-emphasized and the other sources of revenue are promoted, there is less of a need or incentive on the part of the casinos (like your CET) to give away money to get people to play, because they will get the people's money via other venues.But your point about the "Dozens"of high end nightclubs in Vegas, with all their absurdly pricey amenities, is the most hard pressed of all the points to draw a conclusion about.....High end nightclubs by their very nature attract ONLY wealthy people (aging anywhere from 21 to late 40s).....you will not see or find many (if any) middle class people in such places.    But if you ask any vegas executive who still is the most important demographic in terms of the OVERALL success and well being of Vegas, they will tell you it is the average middle class (inclusive of "upper middle class and lower middle class") players and tourists who still make Vegas run.    Sure, at night the rich people come out to overpay for booze, but everywhere else and at all other times, it is the average citizen/person driving the economy.

[Lucky Larry]

casinos are not interested in players winning, Vegas has lost so many players just from my city. I know at least 20 players here in SA that would make 4 to 5 trips a year to Vegas. Now they drive 5 hours to La were the comps are still decent. My last 5 times at lac in lake Charles I cashed 4 times. I won nothing on the normal vp machines, but I have one multi line ultimate x machine that always pays a couple big hits. In January I got a ton of emails from Mgm group for free rooms, food etc. I don't go to Vegas at all. So that tells me there hurting, there greed and bad mgmt has cost them millions.

Raven,
You need to come on down I-10 another 30 minutes and give Coushatta a try a few times. WE are so glad we left lac/GN. The VP and comps are much better than lac and GN. We've played lac for years and helped open GN last year. I understand having a favorite machine - our daughter still plays heavy at one machine at lac and Isle as well as Coushatta. Let me know when you head over and we can meet up.

LL

[ravenbynight111]

larry sounds like a winner