Paying for drinks.....ugh

So I went to Horseshoe in Hammond last night and boy was it busy! It was nice to get away and destress for a couple of hours. I always think it is so funny, the differences between Vegas and non Vegas casino's. I like the promo's the local casino's offer though. I like that you can order a drink right from your slot machine. I wonder why they don't have that in Vegas. What I can't stand is having to pay for drinks though. It is VERY weird to be sitting at a bartop VP and have to pay for a drink. Guess I am just spoiled.

I did win a free desert coupon for Jack Binion's Steakhouse, however, from playing the new Monopoly promo. If someone wants it, just contact me and I will send it to you. I also won a $50 gift card to Home Depot which was cool. I had the choice of a gift card or free play. I chose the card, thinking at least I will leave here with something to show for it. The second time I came out of there with losing everything I came with. I have won probably five times I have gone, but not so much this time. haha

Btw, Horseshoe Hammond is the only place I have ever been that when I order a Corona, they bring it with salt on the rim of the bottle. I can't stand that. What is up with that? Is that an Indiana thing? YUK

 

Caesars Windsor has the same set up for ordering drinks at their slot machines. I guess CET uses that system at their properties where they can't give away alcohol.

 

I don't want salt on the rim of my margarita glass, much less my bottle of beer. Yuck!

Pretty much every other place I've been that has casinos is missing something that reminds me I'm not in Vegas. Twin Rivers in Rhode Island makes you pay for drinks (I never went back). The casinos in CT stop serving alcohol at 2am... I just save my money and take it to Vegas.

 

I guess you haven't been to the Wynn lately...

 

I'm glad you had fun but I think Horseshoe is one of the dirtiest casinos around..I just also hate how the parking is there...Blue Chip in Michigan City or Four Winds is so much better

 

CET also uses that system in Tunica and the drinks there are free

 

They why don't they put it in all their casinos? They seem to have no problem putting in the same points countdown timer that "forgets" to count down about every four or five spins.

 

Really don't know--that is a question you would have to ask CET

 

They have the same system at Cleveland Horseshoe as well. No free alcohol though.

 

I thought that all Native American casino's charged for their alcoholic drinks. Isn't that the norm?

 

Not true of Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun in CT. Not sure about others.

 

Yeah and they bring you your free drink in a dixie cup every 45 minutes. I hate that when you order a bud light.... you get the tiny cup of mystery beer and not a bottle like in vegas.

 

"cup of mystery beer"

ROFL

 

"I guess you haven't been to the Wynn lately..."

No, actually I haven't make it there in probably five or so of my last trips. But I know about this ridiculous rule there and wouldn't play bartop VP. When every other place gives free drinks for the same thing I take my money elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, I'll still go there, and play tables and slots, but not bartop VP. I think if more people boycotted, they would be forced to change the rules. But since its been going on for so long, that isn't likely anymore.

 

I buy drinks in Vegas all the time, just don't like waiting 30-45 mins for a cocktail waitress

 

Harrah's NOLA also has the screen ordering and they comp. We noticed you can't order anything unless you played, though.

 

I'm not saying I've done this...but...a person could have a small bottle of liquor in their purse or pocket which could be discreetly added to pop or juice. Cocktails at Canadian casinos are kind of expensive.

 

This... I've never done it either, but when one goes to a casino that charges for liquor -- a flask + coke or another mixer would work like a charm.

Just be careful, as they take it very seriously and I actually saw someone get kicked out of an Indiana casino for this one time RIGHT away. I have to admit I was surprised: one should visit the restroom for such activities...

 

In California it's state law you can't give free booze.

 

In Iowa, they charge for adult beverages, normally, at least for the Great Unwashed Masses like us. Soft drinks are self-service and free in most Iowa casinos. I've had multiple casino employees state that it's illegal for them to serve free adult beverages to players.

However (comma) Harrah's will occasionally (but not often) have the Free Beer Fridays where they are just as generous with tap beer as they are with soda. Both Horseshoe and Ameristar comp drinks to their higher-tier players club members. There must be some exceptions to the law, if the law itself is not total fiction.

My guess is that with the limited market and limited competition, they're not losing that much business by charging for alcohol.

I'm sure they are aware of people trying to sneak it in. With free soda dispensers they're almost asking for it. One strange beverage regulation they have is that there are no beverages at all, even soft drinks, permitted to be carried in or out. Years ago I was once stopped at the turnstile going out with a cup of soda and told to either finish it then and there or trash it.