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Help with Casino Project

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by VegasSchemer, May 4, 2016.

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  1. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    Hey folks,

    I am assisting with a hotel-casino renovation project near the Strip in Las Vegas. I can't be too specific in describing the property, as you can understand, but it is a block off the Strip (google maps says about a 12 minute WALK to a major hotel on the Strip).

    I think there's a great range of gamblers here, so I'd like to get some insights into what would bring you to the property. It is a lower-end properties when compared with the Strip. If you currently stay at Luxor, Excalibur, Hooters, Palace Station, Bally's, Casino Royale, Riviera (when it was still running), Circus Circus, or Harrah's, you're probably close to our target market. People who stay off-strip at places like the Orleans or Tuscany may also be interested.

    1. If you're a comped gambler at a strip property (or one of the others I mentioned), what would get you to move? Offer matches? Great rules on BJ? Cheap European roulette? A certain type of pool or restaurants?

    2. If you're someone who often hops around properties while in Vegas, what would get you to stop in? A match of your cab fare to the property in free play? A good sign-up bonus? Gaming rules?

    3. If you're not comped or get small offers so that you often move around, what kind of package might intrigue you to try it out? An optional resort fee? We've batted around a "players package" where you'd get a free shuttle to the property, the choice of either early or late check-in guaranteed at no extra cost, and some food comps ($25 off of $40 or more at the on-site restaurant).

    4. What do you prioritize in a room? What features at 2-3 star hotels in Las Vegas have you most appreciated? For players at 2-3 star properties, how often do you purchase a room upgrade? CET and mLife sometimes send options to upgrade to a nice room or a suite. Do you take them?

    I won't be touching all of these areas in my work but the bigger project will so I wanted to get some insights from the board. Feel free to weigh in on one point or another. Appreciate your time.
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2016
  2. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    I'll play. An offer match is a great place to start. We definitely want good blackjack rules, and video poker paytables. If the VP sucks, I probably won't be interested.

    If you are 12 miles from a major strip hotel, it's going to take a bit to get me there. A really strong sign-up bonus or promotion is probably needed - but I'm only interested if the gaming rules are good.

    Offer match, and don't nickel and dime me with resort fees. We hate 'em.

    You want to feel good in your room. You don't want to have the feeling that it's in any way 'icky'. Renovated rooms run this risk if they aren't done well. The Downtown Grand did a good job of this. (However their gambling program has been all over the map, and they don't understand the downtown market so they have struggled.)

    I'm not so interested in particular amenities, but I want to feel like I'm in a quality room, that it is spotless, that I feel safe and secure. A fridge is nice to have. As in an empty fridge. For me to use.
    My favorite place to stay in all of Vegas is the Cal. I feel great there. They have good rules and VP paytables, plus I can play at Fremont and MSS. We do $10K a day coin in and we get RFB plus limo. There are scratch cards for quads at MSS. The most important additional ingredient is the staff. They have amazing staff. They know me, some of them by name. They greet me, they make me feel like family. It's win, win, win all the way around, and we return time after time.

    On the strip, you're lucky to get a sneer from the staff.
     
  3. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the insights. Just to clarify, it's a 12 minute walk. One block off the strip.
     
  4. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    It's a challenge.

    We love the strip. Never go to the other casinos in town. Did go over to Terribles? once. Slot pay took forever. Limited food options. Smokey. Not a place I would take my wife, so never went back.

    We want stuff to do and lots of people around. Good time and reasonable service.
     
  5. jamesxnj

    jamesxnj VIP Whale

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    What Flusher said and I'd like a food court or 24 hr deli type restaurant and also a sportsbook no matter how big,but just make it a nice place to spend a couple hours.
     
  6. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    Would a sportsbook set up like The D or Ellis Island work for you?
     
  7. bluesdude

    bluesdude VIP Whale

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    I also agree with Flusher. Good VP tables all around, not just a couple of rows of them. Also good bartop VP with a really good craft beer selection. No resort fees or additional fees of any kind. No fees for parking. Keep your employees happy and that will funnel down to your patrons.
     
    Dead & Co with my son! June 4 or 5th - June 8th
  8. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    In most people's inebriated Vegas state... it could STILL seem like 12 miles. :beer:

    In that case, it will be very easy to get me in the door with the right paytables, offers, rules, quality of rooms, and friendly people.
     
  9. jamesxnj

    jamesxnj VIP Whale

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    Sorry but I have not been in either one.Rio is my favorite and it's not huge.I like the Orleans as well.
     
  10. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    1. If you're a comped gambler at a strip property (or one of the others I mentioned), what would get you to move? Offer matches? Great rules on BJ? Cheap European roulette? A certain type of pool or restaurants?

    I am a slot player. I moved offstrip because I found it easier to win compared to the strip and because there is a better mix of games offstrip. To get me to stay a new property, it takes a comp room offer to get my attention. Good restaurants help. I am not a buffet fan but I love coffee shops, especially with off menu specials and I expect a decent steakhouse, too.

    2. If you're someone who often hops around properties while in Vegas, what would get you to stop in? A match of your cab fare to the property in free play? A good sign-up bonus? Gaming rules?

    I rent a car so I do hop a lot. Good word of mouth from the right people (such as the fine members of VMB) will get me to take a look. And sign up bonuses matter. Small free play offers bore me. I liked it when you used to get tangible things like t shirts, coupon books and key chains just for signing up. Or even better, a buffet or nice dining credit for earning so many points. Look at how well that worked at Wynn.

    3. If you're not comped or get small offers so that you often move around, what kind of package might intrigue you to try it out? An optional resort fee? We've batted around a "players package" where you'd get a free shuttle to the property, the choice of either early or late check-in guaranteed at no extra cost, and some food comps ($25 off of $40 or more at the on-site restaurant).

    I don't like even seeing the words resort fee. For the hotels that comp me, I usually get two to three nights so I do tend to hotel hop. In this climate, comped nights free and clear ( no fees ) get my attention. Again, I rent a car so shuttles don't appeal. Most of the other things in that players package don't appeal, either. Again, in this climate, a guarantee of free parking may come in handy.


    4. What do you prioritize in a room? What features at 2-3 star hotels in Las Vegas have you most appreciated? For players at 2-3 star properties, how often do you purchase a room upgrade? CET and mLife sometimes send options to upgrade to a nice room or a suite. Do you take them?


    I like square footage and a decent sized, up to date bathroom. I hate rooms that are barely 300 sq ft. I never buy upgrades. If the base room isn't adequate, I am not booking the hotel. I love a nice, new mattress and a safe is important. I would love having a fridge, too and that would be a something that would give a hotel an edge. Right now, I am very comfortable at the Orleans, Gold Coast and Silverton. Don't get me wrong, I love staying at Caesars in a nice suite, but I don't need it to be happy.
     
  11. mikeyvegas1

    mikeyvegas1 High-Roller

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    I have not stayed off the strip but there are 2 off strip properties that I love to visit.
    Ellis Island I go to for the breakfast which is great at a good price plus I enjoy the walk. I usually give some play at either $5 blackjack or video poker since they have decent rules.

    Gold Coast has great rules on blackjack and vp and it is easy to take the free shuttle over to the Rio and then hop in. I restarted in a new career so I have limited vacation so I have not stayed at Gold Coast but I get offers for 3 nights and tournament entry for $99 that are enticing (played 1-2 hours at a $5 table to receive it). In the future I could see myself staying a couple nights on the strip and a couple nights there.

    Another thing that would get me and the wife over would be a spa that is affordable. We have dropped the money on a couples massage at one of the fancy spas thinking that the service would be outstanding and were very disappointed. If you had a spa reasonably priced I could see me and the wife swinging by for a couples massage also I have bought my wife spa services for some serious blackjack time to myself. If I could get twice the time for the same price I would play twice as long.

    Cleanliness is good and food options are nice as well.

    Good luck
     
    Sons 21st birthday trip
  12. KimiCoconuts

    KimiCoconuts Low-Roller

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    Casino size, plenty of slots available. Not smoky - I would just walk right back out the door. Rooms would have to be a suite type with a large soaking tub and a fridge to make me happy. To bring me in the door, there would have to be a good hook. Right now I'm fully comped for everything at MGM properties for the past 3 years. I love decent food options and not having to pay for anything, I gamble a lot.
     
  13. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Give people a reason to STAY (good rooms, comfortable beds, clean, nice bathrooms...i.e. showers and not bathtubs) and PLAY (better than strip BJ rules and lower minimums, good VP pay tables, friendly bartenders and dealers) and you'll have a shot. IMHO, there are so many casinos that I will not even consider staying at because they do not offer me, and I suspect many others, no reason to STAY and PLAY. Some might offer one but not the other. If you are off strip give people a reason to visit, zig when other properties are zagging and differentiate yourself from the pack. For example, don't charge for parking. If you're off strip try to cater to the local market and word will spread if/when you are successful. That would be my advice. Let us know how it goes......... :peace::beer:
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
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  14. benbrownjr

    benbrownjr Low-Roller

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    Most folks that are getting comps have been going to Vegas for a long time. If you look back as far as the 90's and look at what other off strip properties did you can give folks a reason to go. Maybe a portion of your airfare in free play. ..something like that
     
  15. spdandpwr

    spdandpwr VIP Whale

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    Hmm, I feel like we need context here. Has the property identified a target market / consumer? Not for nothing, I feel like certain properties lend themselves to certain demographics which allows them to better design their properties: For example, I find that pH and Linq skew younger versus Ballys and The Flamingo and, as such, the properties created environments that compliment the tastes of those target consumers. Essentially, once you understand who you're going after, then you design against what would appeal to them.

    That notwithstanding, I've stayed at Harrahs and Ballys and likely won't stay there again. I'll be looking into Flamingo or the Linq for my next budget stay. Why? Because I don't like gambling in smoky, dark, and drab casinos. The room at Ballys was amazing (Jubilee) -- honestly, it was much better than I would've expected for the price and very big. A room like that in a casino that's fun and lively is a win in my eyes. Heck, I'm skipping staying at Ballys and going next door to pay more for a lesser room at Paris because I like the casino and atmosphere better there.
     
  16. bedaniels

    bedaniels High-Roller

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    I get comped rooms at MGM properties plus some resort credit and free play. Lowest bet is $100/hand and press from there. Usually stay at MB or MGM and visit once per year with the wife and 3x per year with buddies. Once we are at the property we don't leave, we're degenerate gamblers not tourists. To get me to stay at your place my priorities include 1) energy and vibe, free live entertainment is great to enjoy when taking a break with a unique and fun bar scene 2) fun pool atmosphere - would you consider a topless adult only pool that does not charge $50-$60 per bucket of beer with good waitress service? 3) no bullshit fees (resort fees, parking, booking fees for shows, etc), 4) good table rules 3/2 bj, added odds on craps with tables that are available (not full due to lower limits or closed/not staffed), while I start at $100/hand not all my buddies can do that and usually lower limits have crap rules. We would like to play at the same tables without crap for table rules. If you have a $100 min table and a dealer there with no one playing and we ask you to lower the table limit to $25 so we can all play together please do it, some places won't and I don't know why? 5) would need to exceed not just meet my current offers. 6) Pit ratings need to be accurate with appreciative service. I hate ending a game followed by debating my rating with the pit critter. All I ask for is fairness, if I'm always pressing my bets the pit needs to recognize that 7) have good late night food options often I break for dinner at 10pm-midnight and premium food options are closed. 8) sportsbook betting availability during March madness and football season is important. Sometimes games end late and I need to find the cage to cash my ticket because the sportsbook closed for the night. Both of us want the $ from that ticket on tables anyway. 9) clean comfortable room is all I need only go there to shit, shower, and sleep/pass out. 10) if I'm playing $100+/hand I shouldn't feel like I'm asking for special permission to get higher end liquor. Yes I realize I'm not betting $thousands$ per hand but it's not chump change either.

    There you go my off the cuff top 10 things that could improved from my current situation and would make me move elsewhere. Party on!
     
  17. eksantirik

    eksantirik High-Roller

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    If I see an upside EV of about $15-20, I'd visit an off-strip property. But it would mostly be a hit and run. I'd take advantage of whatever +EV is out there and I'd be out of the property. +EV can come from food offers, free play offers, specific promotions etc. Room offers won't entice me much as I'd like to stay at one of the major casino resorts (i.e. Luxor or Harrah's beats any other off strip place).

    So, I'd rather spend most of my time at places that define Las Vegas. Otherwise what's the point of travelling to Las Vegas. But, as an opportunist I would venture out to off strip properties, to spend limited time and take advantage of a good offer.
     
  18. ruralhipster

    ruralhipster High-Roller

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    A couple suggestions.

    A bar with ample vp and a piano player or nice lounge act with a fair selection of micobrew in tap.

    The right food offerings could drive business to your casino. I like visiting new franchises when I go on vacation and judging by the excitement of white castle and in n out I am not alone.

    I also like a cheap diversion like movies, bowling or pinball.

    Every 2 star hotel room needs a coffee maker with free coffee, free WiFi and a TV with a decent selection of channels HBO, ESPN, CNN etc.

    Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk
     
  19. NJS24

    NJS24 Voice of Reason

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    Huh... So let me get this straight- people want better BJ rules, higher payouts on VP/ Slots, free transportation and more free stuff on top of that? Go figure.
     
  20. bribhoy

    bribhoy Low-Roller

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    I know you're posing this question to people who would be likely to stay and play at this hotel/casino, but I'd like to offer a perspective from someone who would never stay, but might play. I like luxury, although I stay at Rio for convenience during the WSOP. But I will make trips to properties if they have something specific I want to do. So, Gold Coast got me in with Ping Pang Pong, and I dropped a few hundred on craps/slots on my way back out. I went to Main Street Station just to try the beers - and dropped a few hundred on the way out. Harrah's I went to because of Carnaval Court. And I may have dropped a few hundred on the way in. Can't remember much about the way out. Binions? I went there because of the WSOP history aspect, but didn't spend anything there and didn't find anything else I wanted to do there. And wouldn't go back.

    One of the regular questions asked on this board is where ladies and gents of a certain age can go and have a few drinks with a soundtrack that isn't EDM. If you had a venue like that, you may well attract people like me who wouldn't stay at the property but are perfectly happy to take a taxi over and spend a few bucks gambling. And, in general, the 35 - 55 age group will have the highest disposable income and gambling budget.

    Just thought I'd provide an alternative view.
     
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