Video Poker "Manipulation"

[notes1]

 i have no doubt that slots are still the casinos best friend. a while back i related some stats i had read from the gaming industry that stated that even with the large number of new casinos built and the tens of thousands of additional slot machines, over the past 10 years, slot revenue has only increased by 1% on a national basis. during that same time period, payouts decreased by 14%. no matter the game, casino holds have increased.  over the past couple of months i have played at both cherokee and niagara falls, on weekend nights. granted, this is a small sample, but neither casino had the number of players that i had seen in the past. i just believe that consumers, whether they are well versed on the RNG or listed payouts , they just know that they are getting less for their money. many players have adjusted their play, reduced their bet, limited their time in the casino, etc. the bottom line though is still the same, they keep losing money (like they always did) at a faster pace with less comps in return, and i think many have just decided to spend their recreation monies elsewhere.  i heard something from a CET management insider that some might find interesting, as to why nevada casinos have better payouts. it was not due to increased competition as much as it was a result of lower taxation. in previous posts, i had remarked how high some of the tax rates and indian state agreements were. but, i had no idea that those levies against the casinos were so high that they were having such an impact on payouts. i guess it makes sense, if nevada charges casinos 5-8% tax on profits and other states are getting much more, we the players are paying for that increased taxation.    

[olds442jetaway]

Ct requires the tribes to turn over 25% of slot revenue which of course includes vp to the state. I have to wonder what the magic number is where a lower percentage to the state, increased payouts to patrons, and therefore increase in casino business would result in even more money going to the state. Who knows, but they will never decrease that percentage in Ct.

[onemoretry]

over the past couple of months i have played at both cherokee and niagara falls, on weekend nights. 
Do you have any trouble getting a Saturday night room at Seneca? I ask because, despite our Chairman status there, our regular room offer does not include Saturdays.

[notes1]

my home casino is cherokee, go there at least once a month. can never get a room on site for a weekend and my offers have been steadly declining over the past year. i go to seneca maybe 1-2 times per year. i can get a room anytime and every night other than saturday, i get a mini suite. currently, i have more free play/room/food/gift offers from seneca than any other casino. while i have no idea how the 'offer' system works at any casinos, it always seems i get the most offers, the less i go to a place. once they have you, they take advantage of you.

[Vman96]

 i have no doubt that slots are still the casinos best friend. a while back i related some stats i had read from the gaming industry that stated that even with the large number of new casinos built and the tens of thousands of additional slot machines, over the past 10 years, slot revenue has only increased by 1% on a national basis. during that same time period, payouts decreased by 14%. no matter the game, casino holds have increased.  over the past couple of months i have played at both cherokee and niagara falls, on weekend nights. granted, this is a small sample, but neither casino had the number of players that i had seen in the past. i just believe that consumers, whether they are well versed on the RNG or listed payouts , they just know that they are getting less for their money. many players have adjusted their play, reduced their bet, limited their time in the casino, etc. the bottom line though is still the same, they keep losing money (like they always did) at a faster pace with less comps in return, and i think many have just decided to spend their recreation monies elsewhere.  i heard something from a CET management insider that some might find interesting, as to why nevada casinos have better payouts. it was not due to increased competition as much as it was a result of lower taxation. in previous posts, i had remarked how high some of the tax rates and indian state agreements were. but, i had no idea that those levies against the casinos were so high that they were having such an impact on payouts. i guess it makes sense, if nevada charges casinos 5-8% tax on profits and other states are getting much more, we the players are paying for that increased taxation.    

The casinos have it so good in Nevada; it's ridiculous what they pay in terms of taxes. Taxes on gaming revenue is lower than the sales tax in Vegas! It's a major reason why Nevada's public education is currently near the bottom of the barrel. They simply don't collect enough taxes to fund very much for the state.

[notes1]

]

The casinos have it so good in Nevada; it's ridiculous what they pay in terms of taxes. Taxes on gaming revenue is lower than the sales tax in Vegas! It's a major reason why Nevada's public education is currently near the bottom of the barrel. They simply don't collect enough taxes to fund very much for the state.
 the point of my post was to show how much taxes and indian agreements had an effect on casino payouts. frankly, i do not give a toot about nevada schools, i will concern myself with schools in my area. residents of nevada should be concerned about their own kids education. it should also be noted that nevada has property taxes and a lottery, which are typically designated to fund schools. as far as equating casino taxes with quality of education, it has been noted on this site that maryland has a slot tax in excess of 50%, and baltimore schools are among the worst in the nation. the DC area spends the most per child on education. proof that spending does not equal results. 

[Vman96]

Lottery in Nevada? Nope.

But you're right, spending doesn't always mean results.

[notes1]

Lottery in Nevada? Nope.

But you're right, spending doesn't always mean results.
  as best as i can locate on google, nevada participates in all multi state lotteries, while not having one of their own. google NEVADA LOTTERY and they post winning numbers for dec 15th. one way or the other, it would appear that the state does derive money from lotteries and lottery monies often go to fund education.

[alpax]

[QUOTE=Vman96]Lottery in Nevada? Nope.

But you're right, spending doesn't always mean results.
  as best as i can locate on google, nevada participates in all multi state lotteries, while not having one of their own. google NEVADA LOTTERY and they post winning numbers for dec 15th. one way or the other, it would appear that the state does derive money from lotteries and lottery monies often go to fund education.[/QUOTE]

I can tell you for a fact that people from Las Vegas travel 40 miles down the Interstate 15 to the California-Nevada stateline at Primm Valley, Nevada or known as Nimpomo on the California side to purchase MegaMillions and Powerball tickets when the jackpots get high. When it gets really high, lines could be for at least 2 hours, and they have a structured line in place for that kind of capacity.

They used to go to Arizona for Powerball lottery, but since the California lottery joined Powerball a couple of years ago, that is no longer the case.

Vman does have a great point, the state lotteries are in place to mostly fund education. Nevada does not have such a lottery at the moment to improve the quality of public education. The purchases from Nevada natives are benefiting the Arizona and California lotteries. The education system in Califonria is still near the bottom based on my experiences even after the funds the lottery provides.

I think the Nevada lottery sites on google is just listings of brokers that will find some kind of network that can legally buy the lottery tickets for Nevada residents for an overhead price.

[notes1]

if nevada does not have a lottery and does not benefit from selling multi state lottery tickets, i stand corrected. b/t/w, i am the one that stated lotteries often fund education but, i do believe that taxes/indian agreements do have substantial impact on payouts. it only makes sense that if nevada charges casinos less than 10% tax and maryland taxes can be in excess of 50%, the players are going to see reduced returns. there is constant reference on this site to the advantages of playing on better paytables and how nevada offers some of the best payouts in the nation. casinos are no different than any other business, the more expenses/burdens imposed on them, the more they must charge (increased casinos holds) to cover those costs. and, taxes are among the expenses casinos have.