Will the Casino landscape be changing? Ceasars loses another one.........

[MJGolf]

Business news is of importance to me. Casino business news is also of interest. This was one of Ceasar's big claims in bankruptcy and that the second lien holders were causing them problems in restructuring. Looks like they lost one battle in court. Do you think that the landscape is changing or will be soon?

Having been to Vegas, it seems like the building is continuing but Ceasar properties are starting to show wear and tear........the redo of the Linq being one exception. I honestly don't believe gaming is what is supporting the new building but rather the other entertainment aspects (mainly clubs and restaurants) that the southern California crowd can spend their money at. You sure DON'T see as many younger generation players at the tables in my opinion..........but you guys may have a better take. I still think the loss last year in Tunica of Harrah's, the only true "resort" in the area has had a big effect both economically and as to the lure of the area. While blaming the lost gambling revenue on Memphis citizens taking their business to the Southland Race Track (which only has slots) as the main effect, I think that the general casino and resort/gambling environment sure seems to have changed quite radically in just the past few years.

I would be interested in opinions. Seems like the smaller store proliferation and the emergence of Indian Gaming has sure affected the landscape. Not necessarily for the better.........in some parts it has.......at least they seem to keep the better rules for BJ players in our local areas.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/caesar...214410100.html

[Stealth]

Casino business news is also of interest.

Try this one to get some casino info:

http://cdcgamingreports.com/newsdb/

[Three]

I don't think the younger set has been trained that gambling can be worthwhile. They play crappy games with little chance to win. Their results quickly teach them gambling is a bad idea. If they would win often enough due to better games they would think it is worth a shot and risk their hard earned money. The economy tanked and people became more risk averse. Their futures were no longer viewed as a sure thing. They stopped buying houses despite the value and interest rates making purchases the most attractive they have been in maybe forever. Why? Because they no longer felt confident in their job or their paycheck. At the same time casinos started making conditions worse. Think about it. People are becoming far more risk averse and "you" decide to greatly increase their risk when visiting your establishment. Of course the corresponding decrease in casino revenue followed. And inn a vicious cycle the games continued to deteriorate causing more to decide their results no longer merited the risk/reward. Of course reward must be in the equation as casinos also cut comps and incentives at the same time. If these were high enough the loss may seem worth it but when both sides of the equation hurt this risk/reward equation the decision to no longer seek this kind of recreation has been made for them by the casinos. The risk escalates as the reward diminishes. That makes the risk/reward draw become a risk/reward repellant. And the trend continues.

[WABJ11]

The landscape has for sure been affected by major market saturation. You've had Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, and now Massachusetts and New York all legalize gambling (did i miss one?). The market is way over saturated that is for sure. Gone are the days of long drives to casinos in remote places, and it's only going to get worse. The casinos that open closer and closer to metropolises are the ones that will thrive. The others will die. Look at AC...

But all is not bad. I think the more competition, the better will be for the player (us). With more competition will come the need for more "out-of-the-way" casinos to offer better incentives such as more comps and better games if they are going to get people in the door. Many AP's predict BJ is a dying game, but I still think with all these casinos opening up, including Tribals, it will incentivize other casinos to keep their games good. But this is just IMHO Ahh.... The invisible hand at work.

[Masterhoudini]

I really think it's wishful thinking to believe that more competition will lead to better games. The fact is, most of the good BJ games are in HL (mostly $50-100 mins) with solid rules and pen. Thank god I don't have to play on the floor which offers gross monster 8 deckers with poor rules and pen or CSMs in most places. Look at the way the landscape has changed. Bacc is king now- most casinos have an "Asian gaming" floor, whole bacc/pai gow/Asian carnival game pits and tons of Asian restaurants. They're simply catering to the clientele, who don't wanna play blackjack anymore. Even most dealers Asian or not I chat with say they'd rather play bacc than blackjack cause it has "better odds."

[Three]

The fact is, most of the good BJ games are in HL (mostly $50-100 mins) with solid rules and pen. Thank god I don't have to play on the floor which offers gross monster 8 deckers with poor rules and pen or CSMs in most places.

That is because they don't make much off a crowded table full of poppies betting minimum. It is not worth competing over. The high limit players are worth competing over so they get good games offered to be able to compete with other casinos for them.

[MJGolf]

I think you hit it on the head, T-three. I for one, thought that with the use of rewards cards (both as to credit cards and as to other "loyalty" cards) that people would start getting use to the idea of "minor" comps coming their way through MLife/Total Rewards, etc. I remember the good ol' days of comps where as a basic BJ player with a big enough average bet got RFB...no issue. But not only have they tightened that down.........to me in a relatively short period of time, they are also not giving you much credit off their reward cards. So incentives are lacking............and being cheap on their part, sure doesn't engender them much with playing public.

Of course, as an AP, the comps shouldn't matter. But it DOES change the environment. The interest in traveling to play or visit or spend other dollars on other entertainment.....especially when you are a part-time AP. The rules have definitely worsened.........at least in Vegas. And they seem to be becoming the same everywhere in some respects in Nevada. No real difference between Vegas and Reno if it's H17 everywhere. And then when you add that to multi-deck games AND now see 6-5 on a great many low limit games, something is going to have to give. I think that overall they are 'pound wise and penny foolish' as the old saying goes.............BUT will I be around long enough for it to change back? Will it change back? Even Don I think in some posts has stated it doesn't seem like it's going to go back.

Is the newer generation going to understand the differences? Will their dollars matter? Will they even replace the older gamblers to have people play the games? I just feel sad in a way that BJ seems to be going the way of the dinosaurs. And I'm not too pleased about it. Wish I knew what could change the environment.