CASINO PLAYERS EZINE #76

#1

Lobbyist group calls for one-year study of gambling on Internet.
National (Internet) - Tony Batt, Stephens Washington Bureau - The board of directors for the casino industry's top lobbying group agreed unanimously this week to call for a one-year study of Internet gambling by a federal commission. The action Wednesday by the American Gaming Association in Las Vegas is likely to hinder efforts in Congress to ban Internet gambling.

#2

From the UK, there is this Market Report: Gambling stocks buoyed by US breakthrough.
A bleak day for the London markets was given a lift by news that the American Gaming Association, the trade body of the US gambling industry, is to reclassify its position on online gambling.
The AGA, a powerful lobbying association, wants congress to look at regulation and taxation of the industry, a move in effect ending the prospect of legislation criminalizing online gamblers.
Rumours over US prohibition of online gambling have consistently knocked the shares in the past few months, and sector bulls think that backing from AGA could give the industry a considerable long-term boost.
One trader said: "In the shorter term it is a relief rally but beyond that, if the US does decide to completely legitimize the industry, the possibilities for growth are outstanding." Read more...

#3

Gayle: This is probably too late for the rant on machine music, but I'm writing anyway.
I like a low to medium level of music/noise, but many of the machines are turned up to blast level. Caveman Keno is one that drives me crazy. I've actually stuffed my ears with Kleenex to avoid hearing those loud machines. There's an explosion at the beginning of each spin, enough to make anyone give up and leave. I know the slot techs can adjust the sound, but finding them available isn't always quick.
The other question I have is why don't casinos allow players to adjust the speed themselves? There are a few old ones that allow that, but most of them don't. I'd love to be able to adjust both the speed and sound without having to count on a slot tech. Gail.

Gail: I know what you are saying about Caveman--yikes, it’s loud. As to your other question, I guess you have to find a tech about the speed option or you could light your change button--that usual gets a change person quick and you could pass on your request for speed/sound change.
Hope this helps. Gayle.

#4

Gayle: Is there any advantage to delaying the pushing of the button or pulling the handle on slot machines? Some time I count to five before I push the button and get either a wild cherry or a blank that pays. WB4

WB4: It's funny you should ask because I usually do a count of 14 or 21 or pick a number? before I hit the spin button on the slot or deal button on Video Poker, but there is nothing scientific about it. It's my own little superstition. I read that with VP that the cards are shuffling up until the deal button is pushed, but when to hit it---ahhh, there’s the rub :-) Gayle.

#5

Lastly, here’s a quick tip from one of our readers, however, it’s not surprising this progressive Caribbean Stud Jackpot has not been hit in that the odds are 650,000 to 1!

Gayle: As of April 14th, the Caribbean Stud Jackpot at Sam's Town in Tunica Mississippi was at $255,000. It hasn't been hit in over a year and a half. Kerry

7-18

Reba McEntire- Las Vegas Hilton.

8-11

Donny Osmond- The Orleans.

9-11

Sha Na Na - Suncoast.

16-18

Connie Stevens - Suncoast.

21-22

Kenny G- Las Vegas Hilton.

23-24

Donna Summer- Las Vegas Hilton.

23-25

Jack Jones - Suncoast.

24

Martina McBride - Mandalay Bay.

25 - August 10

World Series of Poker - Rio /Binion's.

30 - July 2

Chuck Mangione - Suncoast.

Onlinegamblingsolutions.com

Some Readers Comments/Rants about the dwindling supply of single payline slots follow. Question: Does your favorite casino still have single-payline slots? Example: DDiamond and/or Red White & Blue with 2 or 3 reels? Additionally, I give my thoughts about this question from a previous Gayle Storms.

1

They are getting more scarce. I don’t like many of the new slots as well.

2

I am concerned about the increasingly higher percentage of multi-line & "video" type slots (excludes video poker) vs. the "old traditional" single. 2 & 3 line slots.
As a player of primarily 25 cent to $1 slots, I seem to be looking at an end to my time at the casinos as the old traditional slots are phased out in favor of the newest multi-liners.|
"Penny" slots with 50+ lines and 20+ credits per line is certainly NOT a "penny" game, nor is it my cup of tea!

3

I responded "yes" to the survey. BUT, I work in Vegas on a casino floor and what I see happening is somewhat disturbing to me personally. The "old" reel single line, five line, and 9 line slots are being phased out, and replaced with the "cartoon" video slots.
It's all about money; people are playing the newer cartoon versions and not the "old" reel slots with a fixed payback percentage. Sad, but true. Seems like the manufacturers are in a race to come up with the best "gimmick" of the month.
What with their split percentages if you want to win you MUST play maximum, or, one step down, some as high a 500 pennies. C'mon folks let's don't let a good thing go away, play those reels!

4

Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut both have single payline slots. So far, most of the casinos in AC have the single-pay lines. But everytime you go to the casinos it is looking more and more like an arcade with video games. Just hope they continue to listen to the people who still want those machines and from what I have read there is still a lot of us around.

5

Yes, and I hope they never take them out. The Video Slots started out with frequent, even if low, hits. Now when I play them (i.e. Cleopatra, etc.) you can go a dozen spins and not even hit one of those low payouts. I went back to Double Diamonds.

6

Yes, but not nearly as many as a few years back. And, they are always crowded. I think most of us prefer them. I don't care for the new multi-line, multi-coin video slots. I think it would be fun if someone came up with a new one-line reel slot with the old cherries, bells, oranges, etc. machines of the "old days". They are older than I am. Kind of a "retro" slot if you will.

7

Pretty much all the A.C. Casinos still maintain a good number of 3-reel, single payline slots; but 2-coin machines (particularly in quarter denomination) are becoming few, and far between.

8

My favorite casino (The Tropicana in AC) has been replacing a lot of machines, but DD, RWB, and a couple of other quite old ones (Haywire comes to mind) always seem to have someone still playing them, so I guess they'll keep those.

9

I think when they phase out the old style machines; they will loose a lot of players. If you look at slot players in any casino, you will find they are not the 20 and 30 something’s. If the casinos loose this base of customers, they had better hope the top chefs and entertainers can pay the mortgage on those new casinos!

10

I know that Sam's Town Tunica has them and I am pretty sure all the rest of Tunica’s casinos have them, however very few indeed. There is only one Jeopardy machine in all of Miss. and it is at Fitzgerald’s Tunica.

11

Single pay line is the only type machine I will play, if they ever do away with them I would just have to give up playing slot games.

Gayle Storms:
Where have all the basic slots gone? Where have all the single paylines gone? Where have all the 2 coins max gone? --long time passing--gone to grave-yards everyone. When will casino management ever learn? When will they ever learn?
With apologies to Pete Seeger's haunting lyrics, I mourn for basic slots that are no longer in the majority.
I played my first single payline Double Diamond many years ago, but now I must proceed with an extensive search for these elusive slots.
On a recent Saturday morning at 2:30 am, wide-awake, I asked 'what to do'? Why, head for the local casinos, of course. Pacing one row after another, I finally found a bank of eight, basic Double Diamond slots. All busy, of course, even at that time of the morning.
I enjoy 'the fun and games' of the many bonus video and wild, multiplier slots that I have reviewed and played.
But, I want a taste of 'plain vanilla' slots again - a return to my roots, if you will.
I find a gambling bankroll lasts longer when you begin the slots challenge with the basics--(slots, I mean), and then build from there, onward to progressives or bonus versions.
Larger casinos know that basic slots are still very popular with veteran players and they cater to our needs--somewhat.
Do they think we will not notice the gradual 'weeding-out' of these classics?
I implore all casinos -- do not take away our basic slots.
I ask again - when will they ever learn? It's not too late to stop the exit. Long live basic slots!

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