[toc]First, your parking is taken, next, your alcohol. A number of Las Vegas casinos have recently initiated technology to oversee machine play at their bars. Free drinks are only given to those who gamble at a particular rate.
MGM and Caesars started pilot free drink program last fall
It’s not exactly surprising to see changes in the landscape of Las Vegas. Last fall, locals noticed automated systems on machines in both Caesars and MGM properties.
MGM representatives informed the Las Vegas Sun that the new technology has put an end to the uncertainty bartenders faced regarding the number of drinks each guest was allowed based on their play. In addition, it has standardized the quantity of complimentary drinks that slot players receive at these bars.
The system is equipped with red and green lights to signal if players are gambling at a speed that deserves drinks. Feedback from the field suggests that the comps are generous. The goal is to ensure that customers who invest in gambling receive sufficient rewards. This also means that bartenders and servers can save time on customer supervision.
Anthony Curtis, a blogger, informed the Sun that the system also aids in reducing theft.
This is an effort to halt an issue that has persisted for a long time. In a cash bar scenario where comping privileges are not monitored, a cash paying customer could purchase a drink and still be comped by the bartender, even if they are not participating in any games. The bartender then keeps the money the customer initially paid for the drink.
Other Nevada casinos following suit
Just as with the parking changes, other Nevada casinos waited to observe the effectiveness of the system at the test sites. Now, similar technology is being installed at other properties.
Ardent Progressive Systems and Games provided the technology used by Caesars at its nine Nevada locations. The company has now expanded its client list to include the Venetian, Palazzo, Hard Rock Lake Tahoe, and the Westgate, with plans to add more casinos in the future.
The requirement to earn a drink isn’t too demanding. Players should bet approximately $4 per minute to qualify for the green light. If you’re playing 25 cent video poker at the maximum bet, it equates to slightly less than four hands per minute.
Change indicative of new Las Vegas mindset
The original Las Vegas casinos had a mindset of offering various incentives such as free parking, free drinks, or extremely cheap buffets, in order to attract people to their properties.
Casinos are currently less inclined to incur losses on player perks. Indeed, for casino companies, dining and entertainment have now become increasingly significant sources of revenue.
Considering that, the purpose of free drinks is changing.
“Rich Broome, executive vice president of communications at Caesars Entertainment, explained to the Washington Post that they are actively trying to reward their high-spending customers. He noted that this strategy deters those who are merely seeking complimentary drinks,”
Alan Feldman from MGM concurred, asserting that a free drink serves as a reward, not as an incentive.
Casinos are absolutely continuing to generously reward their faithful clients. However, for those seeking a budget-friendly experience on the Strip, it might be worthwhile to explore other options. In fact, it could be wiser to play online from home to earn rewards, instead of taking chances at the bar.
