Cashing out Tickets --WHAT IS THIS?

[DougJ]

Played VP at the M Casino in Henderson, NV.

Cashed out, took ticket to the Ticket machine.

What's this? After tapping the screen to "dispense" my cash, there is now a SECOND screen. How much of my cash would I like to donate to charity?

The screen has four charities listed. The player is now required to hit a second button, "No thanks" before the machine will dispense the cash.

This is mighty annoying. Penn Gaming obviously authorized/approved this new "feature" to "benefit" the player. Kind of like the rumors I've heard that Penn will start using that automated drink ticket system at M to "benefit" the player . . . .

If I want to donate money to charity, I am perfectly capable of finding a charity all by myself without the help of Penn Gaming AND I will also gladly take the tax receipt for said cash donation.
Ridiculous.

[Tedlark]

Wow.

[DAAnMAAn]

Would like to know what the charities are, do you remember? The devil is always in the details when it comes to charities. Some are very worthwhile, others may dilute each dollar to pennies before it goes to the intended recipients. Sounds annoying, but then again, it's only an option and one can click the "no thanks" button.
Cheers

[FloridaPhil]

Double Wow.   I wonder what the house edge is on that charity money?

[DougJ]

I don't know the four charities displayed on the ticket cashing machine screen. Worthwhile charity or not, I didn't care. The solicitation had no place being there.
What's next? A virtual "tip jar", so we can donate cash to the machine for it doing its job by dispensing the money on my cashout ticket?

[Chicagoan]

If the charities are truly worthwhile and there is no financial benefit to Penn Gaming, then I am fine with this. Many players don't need the odd cents on a ticket, and for larger players it is no problem to round off odd dollars. For instance, if I have a ticket for $71.50, I would have no problem designating $1.50 to a REPUTABLE charity. The question is, are the charities reputable? A good example of a questionable charity is the Wounded Warrior Project. As a vet heavily involved in veterans' issues, I have constantly tried to warn people about WWP --- there are some real questions about compensation levels to the original organizer.

[FloridaPhil]

At the Florida Hard Rocks, the ticket cashing machines do not dispense coins. They give you a white ticket for anything under a dollar.   Many people leave the tickets in the machine and some carry them to the cashier.   I asked about this a few months ago and they told me all the money the casino earns this way goes to local charities.  This made players feel better as many thought they kept the money.   I don't cash these tickets myself and I'm fine with giving the money away. 

[Tedlark]

It's obvious to me that Penn Gaming would get credit for whatever charitable contributions are made through this and not the individual actually making the contribution. If Las Vegas residents regularly make a contribution this could add up to a nice deduction over the course of a year that they would not get credit for personally.

[DougJ]

   It's obvious to me that Penn Gaming would get credit for whatever charitable contributions are made through this and not the individual actually making the contribution. If Las Vegas residents regularly make a contribution this could add up to a nice deduction over the course of a year that they would not get credit for personally.

Agreed. M is primarily a locals casino. If everyone donated some portion of their cashout tickets on these ticket machines, it would be a nice deduction for someone other than me.

I just don't think this belongs in a casino. Even if I had 50 cents left on a cashout ticket, I am going to cash that out and put it in my pocket. It is my choice, then, to accumulate all that spare change leftover in a year and donate it myself to a charity of my choosing.

I just read somewhere else that a NY State racino has these new charity prompters on their ticket machines, so unless that racino is owned by Penn, this may be a new "benefit" for players in the future. (sarcasm)

[FAA]

Just what players aggravated about losing over 80% of their bankroll need.