Interesting article about RIO drink service

How One Vegas Casino Uses iPads To Loosen Up Gamblers

http://www.cultofmac.com/209180/how-one-vegas-casino-uses-ipads-to-loosen-up-gamblers/

I'm kind of surprised CET hasn't rolled this out yet anywhere else. Also I've only been to the Rio once but I wouldn't call it a ghetto casino.

 

Sounds like a much bette idea than the current system on the strip. I am intrigued by Rio, we are going to give it a good look next month and it is on the consideration list for our September trip.

 

An ingenious idea, and makes a lot of sense. Never been to Vegas but have been in several other casinos and can say that waitresses just wondering around is a... pain. Might have to go over to Rio just to see how it is compared to the other casinos.

Thanks for the article.

 

Sounds like spence only speaks for the casinos side and not for the customers.

I have never heard a customer raving about how great the drink service is.

To me it honestly sounds like they have 2 people and a computer to do what one lady and a pad of paper used to do.

Who brings the drinks while the entertainer is entertaining? Answer- no one, you wait.

I will take the haggard old lady at binions any day of the week.

 

They've been doing this for a while.

Since last year sometime anyway,they also introduced it in Showboat AC last year .I'm not 100% sure on the time frame,we were at Rio last spring and they were doing this. The people with the hand held also double as singers and dancers on the little stages that are around the casino. I only tipped the person who brought the drinks,the system seemed to work well ,you got drinks pretty fast.
In Showboat ,we mainly go there during the day,they were all over us .

 

I think you are missing the point. The drinks come faster and they are covering the floor more effectively. And the song and/or dance is only two minutes. The Ambassador can take orders and the drink can be ready to go when the performer come off the stage.

The problem with the old system is that there are too many CWs who walk behind you and yell drinks while they are running around the corner. I've technically been offered a drink but I'm still thirsty because I've never been given a chance to order. You would think they don't work for tips or something. It's just nice that a casino is investing in their employees for a change.

 

They also do this at the Harrah's in North Kansas City. Seems to work pretty well.

 

We were there last Sept. and when its not to busy those drinks get there FAST, but when they were busy, you had a short wait.(long enough to lose your money before you got your drink) We'll be back in May.

 

They have the same system at Horseshoe Cleveland as well (no "bevertainers" though)

 

Actually what CET casinos are rolling out for all their machine games is an automatic ordering system where you do it yourself. They've even talked about this in their marketing material. I mentioned a while back -- these are all steps to begin doing what CET and Wynn have both said they've wanted to do -- stop offering free drinks. These kinds of systems make it easy for them to determine if you qualify for a free drink or if you're playing too low of a limit and have to pay. This two step process with the iPad sounds like a way for them to run things through that same system for the table games.

 

Why wait for the iPad when you can order your drink right from the machine, like you can at Caesars Windsor (and another CET property, it was brought up in an earlier forum). Or use the iPad for the tables and the other system for card-in games.

It is sad, however, that the Rio is (rightfully) recognized as a "tatty" casino. Such a huge fall from when the property opened 20 years ago.

 

We love the drink service at the Rio, we were there last spring and it was fantastic. Plus I found their slots to be good to me :evillaugh

 

So which one do you tip?

 

I don't know that the touch screen systems needed to order at the slots will be installed all over. A local host mentioned that they are really expensive to install and some markets seem to be resisting investing the money. As a player, yes, the system is convenient for drinks but the old display are more informative as it relates to tracking your play. The iPads would be cheaper for markets not wanting the touch screens. And in a market like Vegas where people want a bigger variety of drink options, a human being is more efficient than a touchpad that requires you to stop hitting a spin button to use.

 

I saw this last month and I was VERY impressed. The Rio had the most consistent cocktail service anywhere! I hope CET rolls it out to other places! Soon!

 

They were doing this last May at Rio. I thought it was the best drink service we received in all of vegas. Wish they all did this.

 

Maybe sexist but the cocktail misters at the Rio ruin the whole deal. Come on I don't want some dude bringing my drink with or without an iPad!

 

They served like that at the Harrahs in New Orleans. It actually seems more efficient.
Old way: When waitress is finished serving tables A and B, she takes orders from tables C and D. Then walks to the bar where the POS system is to input her drink orders, waits for the bartender to make the drinks, then walks back out to serve.
New way: When waitress is finished serving tables A and B, she walks back to the bartender where her drinks for C and D are waiting to be delivered, then walks back out to serve.
Even though it takes two people to do the same job, the drinks get out twice as fast. Which makes for happy and drunk gamblers.

 

As Terry mentioned, this new system is in place at Harrah's New Orleans. I was there over Christmas and got very quick drinks on those occasions I was playing a machine.

 

I asked a person with the iPad about tipping. The answer was "We don't require tips because we're on a better pay scale"