Using debit cards at slot machines

[Alan Mendelson]

I missed this, but about two weeks ago regulations in Nevada were approved to allow players to insert a pre-paid debit card and play on a slot machine.

For years regulators would not allow players to use ATM cards or traditional credit cards directly at machines. The theory was if a player got up from the machine to talk to an ATM or to the cage they would have time to think about playing more. But now, a pre paid debit card is okay to use.

Article here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/2...for-slots.html

I don't know what the cash limits are on pre paid debit cards but if the costs are low for loading a pre paid debit card this could be a good idea. I certainly hope that the charges are less than using a traditional ATM. Caesars, for example, charges a hideous $5.99 per ATM transaction -- plus your bank might charge you a foreign ATM fee. (Bank of America recently raised its foreign ATM fee from $2 per transaction to $2.50 per transaction.)

I still think that using a credit line at a casino is the best way to go if you are gambling more than a safe amount of cash that can be carried in your wallet. There is no fee for accessing a credit line, and casinos generally give you between 15 days and 30 days to repay the "marker" with zero interest.

Debit cards might allow "casual players" to safely carry larger amounts of money to casinos without fear of robbery and loss. I only hope that there is no charge by the casinos when a debit card is used directly in a slot machine. If the casinos do put a charge on using a debit card directly in a slot I would consider that to be counter-productive and a rip-off.

[slingshot]

A casino debit card where you could ADD your soft profits or partial winnings WITHOUT fee might be nice. I doubt that will ever happen.

[Nash]

I would never use a prepaid card in a machine. What happens if I forgot to take the card out and walked away from the machine?

[Alan Mendelson]

I would never use a prepaid card in a machine. What happens if I forgot to take the card out and walked away from the machine?

Good point. My guess is you would insert the card and TRANSFER money from your card to the machine, and then remove your card. You would have the same risk of leaving behind your ATM card in an ATM machine. And it would be easy to put prompts on the machine to "remove your card" after transferring credits.

[Rob.Singer]

I see no reason to use this. It's an extra step, which is a waste of time. Machines take cash--just bring cash. If you're afraid to walk around with cash when nobody has any idea who's carrying what, then you don't belong in a casino. Scared money, and people, never won a dime.

[slingshot]

[QUOTE=Rob.Singer;20196]I see no reason to use this. It's an extra step, which is a waste of time. Machines take cash--just bring cash. If you're afraid to walk around with cash when nobody has any idea who's carrying what, then you don't belong in a casino. Scared money, and people, never won a dime.[/QUOTE I carry TWO billfolds-one with about $60 and the other with $300 that I keep inside my shirt pocket which is covered by my jacket-since they keep it so dang cold it doesn't look unnatural. Then, if I were robbed, etc., the likelihood of looking for another wallet might not cross someone's mind.

[regnis]

Takes me back to when I was first starting to go to Vegas. Didn't know about markers--used to wear a money belt inside my pants. You had to go to the john if you wanted to get at your own money.

After that, I just opened a bank account in vegas so I didn't have to carry $$.

But markers are so easy, safe, and convenient I don't know why anyone would risk carrying cash and forego the interest free loan. And before the BS tier systems and such, markers got you all the comps you could ever want.

[Rob.Singer]

I used markers when I was an AP. It was convenient because I was always in a hurry when returning home from overseas, rushing around to get things done at home before driving to Nv.

Then, when I started playing for a living, it made no sense on several levels any more. I was never in a rush, I realized no one ever knows who's carrying what, and signing up for markers only serves to help allow the casino keep eyes on you. It also triggers much unwanted & unneeded attention from those useless hosts. Sure, if you're the standard losing player who likes maybe the extra comps or "friendly discussions with hosts" that comes with markers, it's probably better to sell your soul this way. But that's not why I play, and carrying large or small amounts of cash has never created a problem for me...& still doesn't even though I no longer pack iron.

[Alan Mendelson]

It is foolish to carry large amounts of cash -- inside and outside of casinos. Period. Anyone who wants to carry big amounts of cash is a show-off and just plain stupid.
I usually drive up to Vegas with less than $60 in my wallet -- enough for going to fast food restaurants during "pit stops."

When I sit down at a machine or go to a table I take out a marker -- 30 days free interest if I lose. No risk of losing my wallet or my billfold if I carried cash. When I finish playing if I can pay off my marker, I do. If I hit something big I take a check -- no need to walk out of the casino with big cash either.

[Rob.Singer]

That's pure inexperience talking Alan. The "show off" is the one getting and cashing markers. I've never seen anyone who carries cash with a sign on them that announces it. And like I said, markers are the #1 culprit that invites unwanted/unneeded casino attention. Losers crave it; winners avoid it. I think you just could be the #1 poster child for doing nearly everything the casinos want & expect players to do--and how they want players to do it.

[Alan Mendelson]

Rob... I don't carry cash and that's why I can't lose cash.

Please stop with your song and dance about doing what the casinos want. Honestly having cash in your pocket makes it easier for you to feed your addiction. But if you have to go to your bank, or ask for a marker, or walk to an ATM you do have time to think about what you're doing. In your case Rob, it really is cash burning a hole in your pocket.

Your advice to carry cash in and outside of casinos is probably the most stupid thing I have ever heard. Only criminals, drug dealers, tax dodgers and Rob Singer carry large amounts of cash in this day and age. Even check writing has become archaic.

If you ask me, you sitting at a $25 machine with your big wad of $100s is the ultimate in being a show off and showing that you are doing exactly what the casino wants you to do.

NEVER NEVER NEVER should anyone carry large amounts of cash.

[quahaug]

Rob... I don't carry cash and that's why I can't lose cash.

Please stop with your song and dance about doing what the casinos want. Honestly having cash in your pocket makes it easier for you to feed your addiction. But if you have to go to your bank, or ask for a marker, or walk to an ATM you do have time to think about what you're doing. In your case Rob, it really is cash burning a hole in your pocket.

Your advice to carry cash in and outside of casinos is probably the most stupid thing I have ever heard. Only criminals, drug dealers, tax dodgers and Rob Singer carry large amounts of cash in this day and age. Even check writing has become archaic.

If you ask me, you sitting at a $25 machine with your big wad of $100s is the ultimate in being a show off and showing that you are doing exactly what the casino wants you to do.

NEVER NEVER NEVER should anyone carry large amounts of cash.

Yeah, But CASH IS KING!

[quahaug]

Long live the KING!

[Rob.Singer]

Rob... I don't carry cash and that's why I can't lose cash.

Please stop with your song and dance about doing what the casinos want. Honestly having cash in your pocket makes it easier for you to feed your addiction. But if you have to go to your bank, or ask for a marker, or walk to an ATM you do have time to think about what you're doing. In your case Rob, it really is cash burning a hole in your pocket.

Your advice to carry cash in and outside of casinos is probably the most stupid thing I have ever heard. Only criminals, drug dealers, tax dodgers and Rob Singer carry large amounts of cash in this day and age. Even check writing has become archaic.

If you ask me, you sitting at a $25 machine with your big wad of $100s is the ultimate in being a show off and showing that you are doing exactly what the casino wants you to do.

NEVER NEVER NEVER should anyone carry large amounts of cash.

You still have a lot to learn Alan, and unless you're doing as well as I've done in video poker at least, it would behoove you to listen instead of whatever it is that you do here for whatever reason you do it.

One can only thrive in gambling if one understands and practices common sense--which is also where it all starts. Casinos want your money, and it is the ONLY reason they want you to come in their doors. But the player comes in to get the CASINO's money, and this should be the overriding reason for the visit. Not to chat with the cashier, to exchange niceties with the handpay crew in the high limit room, or to make a fool out of yourself by talking to some host.

So does it then make sense to do exactly what the casino wants and expects a gambler to do? Of course not! Then why do most people do it? Because THEY'RE WEAK, INEXPERIENCED PEOPLE WHO FEEL MUCH BETTER BEING LED BY THE HAND THAN BEING LEADERS! And this ends up being the biggest advantage any casino has over any player. Need cash to play? Why, cash a check or get a line of credit going....And in the process give them not only access into your financial life, but access to you whenever you enter their casino. Win a big jackpot that puts you ahead for the visit? Why, don't go home....stay on and run that newfound confidence & euphoric feeling thru the higher limit machines, why dontcha. And put all that jackpot money into your pocket? Nope....not when you and the floor crew can have a "good 'ol time" when you pass out tips as you get ready to play on! Gee, what a feeling THAT is. Win big, then let everyone join in on the fun, and at the same time you can ward off those feelings of intimidation just by giving away some of that jackpot money that seems SO BIG at the time.

And here's the best part--you're lack of knowledge about high limit rooms even though you play in them. No strong player sits at a $10 or $25 machine and feeds hundreds into them. They go to the room's cashier and has a ticket made, usually very discreetly.

More and more, it appears you're nothing more than a giddy, comp-loving, anxiety-driven 25c gambling tourist who plays $5 games. And you could be and do so much better, if you only listened.

[slingshot]

All the casino hosts care about is your drink or cashier experience. I was having a boring day, only ahead by a little when one came by(with list in her hand to make sure she got my name right) and asked how my service was. I gave her a disgusted look and she replied, "Oh, I'm not interested in your PLAY experience, just your service."

[regnis]

It is never bad, in the casino or anywhere else in life to be friendly and courteous to those with whom you interact. It has nothing to do with playing by the casino's rules or falling into their trap. That is a separate issue and you can be nice to your host, the cashier, the waitress, the player next to you, the lady picking up garbage, etc., without it leading to bad play or compulsive gambling or any of the other sins which you describe. And maybe it makes your overall casino visit more enjoyable to have some friendly repartee rather than being miserable.

In my case, and I can be a real SOB if someone else instigates, my otherwise good nature with casino employees has led to a significant number of them becoming clients, including several in management. So maybe they fell into my trap rather than the other way around.

[slingshot]

It is never bad, in the casino or anywhere else in life to be friendly and courteous to those with whom you interact. It has nothing to do with playing by the casino's rules or falling into their trap. That is a separate issue and you can be nice to your host, the cashier, the waitress, the player next to you, the lady picking up garbage, etc., without it leading to bad play or compulsive gambling or any of the other sins which you describe. And maybe it makes your overall casino visit more enjoyable to have some friendly repartee rather than being miserable.

In my case, and I can be a real SOB if someone else instigates, my otherwise good nature with casino employees has led to a significant number of them becoming clients, including several in management. So maybe they fell into my trap rather than the other way around.

It was just the fact that she said "Mr. (then hesitated, looked at her list) THEN called my last name. I think a great hostess would have all that info ready in her head to at least give it a semblance of genuineness.

[Alan Mendelson]

You still have a lot to learn Alan, and unless you're doing as well as I've done in video poker at least, it would behoove you to listen instead of whatever it is that you do here for whatever reason you do it.

One can only thrive in gambling if one understands and practices common sense--which is also where it all starts. Casinos want your money, and it is the ONLY reason they want you to come in their doors. But the player comes in to get the CASINO's money, and this should be the overriding reason for the visit. Not to chat with the cashier, to exchange niceties with the handpay crew in the high limit room, or to make a fool out of yourself by talking to some host.

So does it then make sense to do exactly what the casino wants and expects a gambler to do? Of course not! Then why do most people do it? Because THEY'RE WEAK, INEXPERIENCED PEOPLE WHO FEEL MUCH BETTER BEING LED BY THE HAND THAN BEING LEADERS! And this ends up being the biggest advantage any casino has over any player. Need cash to play? Why, cash a check or get a line of credit going....And in the process give them not only access into your financial life, but access to you whenever you enter their casino. Win a big jackpot that puts you ahead for the visit? Why, don't go home....stay on and run that newfound confidence & euphoric feeling thru the higher limit machines, why dontcha. And put all that jackpot money into your pocket? Nope....not when you and the floor crew can have a "good 'ol time" when you pass out tips as you get ready to play on! Gee, what a feeling THAT is. Win big, then let everyone join in on the fun, and at the same time you can ward off those feelings of intimidation just by giving away some of that jackpot money that seems SO BIG at the time.

And here's the best part--you're lack of knowledge about high limit rooms even though you play in them. No strong player sits at a $10 or $25 machine and feeds hundreds into them. They go to the room's cashier and has a ticket made, usually very discreetly.

More and more, it appears you're nothing more than a giddy, comp-loving, anxiety-driven 25c gambling tourist who plays $5 games. And you could be and do so much better, if you only listened.

Rob, this is probably the most stupid post you ever made... and probably in your life. Carrying cash is the most stupid mistake you could make -- especially carrying $53,000 in cash as you do.

Interacting with casino personnel is a crime in your book? What a ridiculous statement.

And is there a difference between exchanging a brick of $100s for a ticket and asking for a marker? You're absurd.

Please don't continue this stupidity. I am rapidly losing all respect for you.

[regnis]

It was just the fact that she said "Mr. (then hesitated, looked at her list) THEN called my last name. I think a great hostess would have all that info ready in her head to at least give it a semblance of genuineness.

The Horseshoe Indiana has taken to having some young host (usually about 12 years old) come over to the slot machine and introduce herself and ask if you need anything. I do find it awkward as I don't know her and have nothing really to say to her. Also, since caesars properties basically took all the power of a host away from them with the "You must first use up your points BS", I don't see the point of it. So I don't disagree with you in that respect Sling.

[slingshot]

The Horseshoe Indiana has taken to having some young host (usually about 12 years old) come over to the slot machine and introduce herself and ask if you need anything. I do find it awkward as I don't know her and have nothing really to say to her. Also, since caesars properties basically took all the power of a host away from them with the "You must first use up your points BS", I don't see the point of it. So I don't disagree with you in that respect Sling.

Today was a different story. The you lady (foreign accent) actually was pleasant and called my name effortlessly and even let me know the free-play drawings had already started an hour early. I went upstairs and they doubled my offer from $25 to $50 and I came home with $40.