Dear
Mark,
In years past, Atlantic City casinos used to invited
my play with not only a free bus ride to the Shore
but a bucket worth of coins to get me started. Seems
lately the casinos are getting tighter and tighter
with their customers. Are they? Marty S.
Yes,
Marty, what you perceive is correct my friend. Those
rolls of nickels to induce initial play are evaporating
as the amount of money the casinos give bus customers
spirals downward. Today, AC casinos pay an average
of $16.54 to customers bussed in from outer markets,
down from the low $20s last year.
It could be worse, Marty.
When
you have the only game in town like Casino Windsor
in Canada, duping $40 out of patrons for valet parking
seems appropriate to casino management. Or how about
a sole riverboat casino that monopolizes a market?
You not only get squat but charged to grace their
gambling joint.
So granted, Marty, though you’re $4 lighter in
the bucket, you still have to love a casino that pays
you to play.
Dear Mark,
Our senior citizen's group is being offered a great
deal on a bus trip to Atlantic City. Not only do
we get a buffet but also $20 in quarters. The problem
is that I am a small-time bettor who prefers nickel
slot machines. I have been told that none exist
in Atlantic City. Any suggestions for us conservative
gamblers after our $20 is gone? Betty K.
Nickel machines are
an industry staple here in Nevada, but unfortunately
Atlantic City is one tough market for the low roller.
It seems only “The Donald” (Trump) feels
the low-limit customer is of any value. I suggest
you convert your quarters to nickels and play at
either Trump Marina, Trump Plaza or the Trump Taj
Mahal.
Get there early, Betty, as the seats are always
filled by cautious gamblers. The Trump Marina has
only 44 nickel machines, the Plaza 274 and the Taj
Mahal 141. Expect an average return of 86.8 percent.
