Casinos

[JustMeAgain]

I just read an article in my local paper that mentioned the possibility of a future smoking ban in Las Vegas casinos.

It doesn't sound like a ban is on the immediate horizon for casinos, but it is a target of at least one anti-smoking group that calls themselves the Smoke-Free Gaming Coalition.

Could casino owners be a group that could be harnessed to lobby in our favor, maybe even selling pvs in the casinos now in preparation for if/when that day comes?

Here's a link to the article:

Is smoking ban in casinos inevitable? | rgj.com | The Reno Gazette-Journal

 

[Blooper]

Never gonna happen.

 

[5cardstud]

Nev. is pretty much a gaming state and makes a good deal of their revenue off gamling. They go to great exspense to build lavish casinos for comfort, appeal and to entice customers. I don't believe the anti-smoking groups will have enough pull in that state to enact their intruding ways. JMO

 

[maxx]

Awhile back, in a vendor subforum, someone reported that security in a casino had asked them to stop using their e-cig on the casino floor. This while smoking was permitted (in designated areas). After some discussion we determined that the reason was not because of the vapor....but because it was an electronic device. Casinos are constantly on the lookout for electronic devices that could be used to interfere with slot machines or used to card count. Since e-cigs are new, and many security folks have never seen them....they simply didn't know what to do and erred on the side of caution.

If our guess was correct, it is doubtful that casinos would encourage electronic devices near their machines for any reason. Also....the LED could concievable be used as a signalling device between two or more people trying to scam a card table.

Would be nice if some industry got behind us...but I doubt it will be casinos.

 

[ChipCurtis]

Awhile back, in a vendor subforum, someone reported that security in a casino had asked them to stop using their e-cig on the casino floor. This while smoking was permitted (in designated areas). After some discussion we determined that the reason was not because of the vapor....but because it was an electronic device. Casinos are constantly on the lookout for electronic devices that could be used to interfere with slot machines or used to card count. Since e-cigs are new, and many security folks have never seen them....they simply didn't know what to do and erred on the side of caution.

If our guess was correct, it is doubtful that casinos would encourage electronic devices near their machines for any reason. Also....the LED could concievable be used as a signalling device between two or more people trying to scam a card table.

Would be nice if some industry got behind us...but I doubt it will be casinos.

You could signal somebody else with an analog cigarette, by scratching your head, winking, making certain body movements with your legs or arms, turning your head in a certain direction..... This part of your argument seems silly at best.

Once they know exactly what the device is and what it's capable of, there won't be a problem. Just some casino employee erring on the side of caution at all costs, to save his job.

 

[Vocalek]

Casinos have a very good idea of how often and how much each slot machine pays off. If something hinky was going on, they would be likely to catch it in that way.

I don't see how an electronic cigarette is any more of a threat than a calculator or cell phone that someone might have with them in a casino.

 

[maxx]

Missing the point. It's not that e-cigs would be a threat, but that something that appears to be an e-cig might be. From a casino point of view it is easier to just say no electronics near the machines than to try and determine that every e-cig is in fact an e-cig and not something modified to look that way. Casino isn't going to wait to get hit by a new device....they try to anticipate one. We know what is inside that metal tube and cartridge that flashes....but casino security isn't so sure.

 

[Janetda]

I'm pretty sure you can't use a cell phone or any electronics at any table in Vegas. You can however have a cigarette at most.

 

[OMB]

I know some of those banned things sound silly, but you'd be amazed at some of the restrictions, etc at casinos. I work at the only one in NC. So far, employees have not been asked/told we can't use e-cigs, but that's in employee only areas.
Cell phones, mp3, bluetooth, etc. are NOT allowed to be used at the games. We ask players to step away from slots or tables to use those items. Just FYI. My understanding is that Atlantic City tried to ban smoking more than a year ago, but business died so fast they had to re-allow smoking. (I think they now have designated areas...not sure).

 

[Skyler]

This is quite an interesting thread to read. I am heading out to the casinos in New Orleans this weekend and didn't realize that this could be an issue. I have vaped in a casino before and was never approached by security at all.

 

[crand]

I've used my e-cigs at just about every casino on the strip. I had one security guy inquire but only because he wanted to know where he could purchase one.

 

[maxx]

The last time I was in a casino I was still smoking. And considering that I lost $300 in the first half hour....I am quite sure the casino would have let me put on a helmet with antennas and blinking lights....as long as this sucker kept playing. Anything to get the money.

If I was a casino manager that was ignorant of the whole e-cig thing...I would likely just tell my pit bosses to shut them down, rather than take the time to learn about them. There aren't that many of us that offense and lost business would be a concern...and it is easier than learning about the things. In time....everyone will know more, but I think some sort of tavern/bar association might be better if we are looking for champion for the cause. They are losing money everytime a smoker goes outside to smoke.

 

[Skyler]

If I was a casino manager that was ignorant of the whole e-cig thing...I would likely just tell my pit bosses to shut them down, rather than take the time to learn about them. There aren't that many of us that offense and lost business would be a concern...and it is easier than learning about the things. In time....everyone will know more, but I think some sort of tavern/bar association might be better if we are looking for champion for the cause. They are losing money everytime a smoker goes outside to smoke.

Agreed....

 

[Skyler]

Well, I took the leap of faith and charged every battery I had packed all of my chargers. I separated them out in my purse and carry on. Everything went right through security without any issues. I brought six batteries and multiple carts into the casino and stealth vaped for a couple of hours. My casino host tracked me down that night and we talked about the e-cigs. They actually welcome them and have no problems what so ever with them around the slot machines. For sanity reasons I used a sheath around the PV to not bring attention to the LED light and no one bothered me or asked about it. A few stares when I blew out but not one person approached me. So, needless to say with my big jackpot winnings I have booked another trip next month. Woowee

 

[Fataliya]

I work at the Hard Rock in Tampa in Table Games, and at least at our property, e-cigs are allowed. I've only seen a couple customers using them on my game, but no one cares. No cell phones, car keys, wallets, cigarette cases, earphones, or anything else can be on the tables, though.

My department knows a lot about e-cigs now, because I've converted at least 20 people to vaping, and it's now spreading into other departments. Which is awesome.

It varies among different properties, I'm sure, but hey, come see me at the Hard Rock and vape freely. =P

 

[jcamacho]

No smoke ban in LV casinos, I guarantee you!

 

[HKholer]

In Missouri we have smoking bans in the Poker rooms in the casinos. At the new River City Casino in South Saint Louis County they welcome e-cigs. The problem is I get so many questions from the other players I can barely concentrate on my game. [1/3 no limit Hold'em] I'm up a couple hundred tho... and I think I converted a couple ppl...