FROM OUR READERS: Interaction, winning give way to gadgets, losing - Opinion

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Aug. 31, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

FROM OUR READERS: Interaction, winning give way to gadgets, losing

Virtual technologies cater to the self-absorbed, who can already gamble in isolation anywhere

By ALFRED RUNTE
SPECIAL TO THE REVIEW-JOURNAL

During a stopover in Reno 25 years ago, my wife and I discovered Nevada-style gambling -- and absolutely loved it.

Just as suddenly, on a summer trip to Las Vegas and Laughlin, we admitted the thrill is gone. Since when did the gaming industry rob Nevada of its uniqueness, conspiring to remake its casinos into video arcades?

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Most recently, the Excalibur in Las Vegas brags about replacing its live poker room with electronic poker tables. Again, what happened to the state that believed in character -- the state that made gambling real?

In the old days, even when the games were "electronic," at least the money they paid was real. Certainly, if the sound and feel of money were not important, why does every ticket machine go "clink! clink!"

Cutting labor costs would appear to be the hidden agenda, no matter the protests about sanitation and dirty hands. At the Tropicana Express in Laughlin, we were told that players actually prefer a televised dealer to someone live.

If so, Nevada is in serious trouble; a casino anywhere can give us that. Still, the more likely aim is to shrink the payout -- and the payroll -- while attracting new players content to lose. Note the number of casinos filled with younger players just pushing buttons to watch cartoons.

The challenge is convincing my generation -- people over 55 -- that virtual reality is the same as winning. Our generation, still with three-quarters of the nation's discretionary income, remains Nevada's largest and most loyal market. Forget all the nonsense about being diverted with light shows and theme parks. Our notion of being entertained is still to win -- and to hear it when others do.

When playing slots, we listen for the money hitting the pan. In the restaurant, we want to enjoy live keno with our meal. The fact that a slot machine can replace a keno runner is just another reminder that Nevada is replacing us.

For the record, our generation still likes people. To us, a casino without employees is a morgue. Every time the old machines ran out of money, you got to meet the staff. That keno runner did more than work for the casino. She was also an ambassador of good will.

This is also to explain why older players gravitate to progressive jackpots, especially when playing slots. Why play in a casino if it is not a community, each player driving up everyone's chances to win big?

Gradually, banks of progressive machines have been eliminated -- or diluted by offering multiple games. No longer do the people next to you have a stake in your play, or you a stake in theirs.

Truly, one gets the feeling that Nevada has been taken over by hyperactive teenagers with BlackBerrys stuck to their brains. The point again about inventing games that encourage players to be self-absorbed is that gambling in Nevada becomes irrelevant.

Indeed, if ever the industry should implode, too many mindless changes will be the reason. The whole point of returning to a casino in the first place is to find the community of players and workers -- and luck -- you left behind. Constantly changing the floor of the casino and reducing the staff defies every definition of luck and good business sense. Sure, we now get a player's card and an extra comp or two. But that prevents anyone from learning our names.

Those of us living outside Nevada also have to suffer the airlines and the rising price of gasoline. In the past, Nevada stayed competitive -- and kept us coming -- by offering what could not be had anywhere else.

Although the competition has increased, sending home more losers is no business plan. Nevada would still be better advised to preserve its uniqueness against change proposed for the sake of change.

Granted, some changes are inevitable, and no one can win every time. However, forfeiting character for virtual reality is not progressive change. It is the loss of that Nevada, the real Nevada, that now threatens to keep us -- and the nation -- at home.

Alfred Runte, an environmental historian specializing in the American West, lives in Seattle, where in 2005 he ran for mayor. His latest book is "Allies of the Earth: Railroads and the Soul of Preservation" (Truman State University Press).

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Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background. Karen wrote on November 16, 2008 02:13 PM: How true, I am so tired of the Casino’s replacing live gambling with the Video’s. Being in my late 40’s and have enjoyed Vegas for 20 years. I hated the age of the “Family Friendly” and was glad to see it go. However, I don’t know if this new “Expensive Club-Scene” and “Catering to Up-Scale” visitors is the way either. I recently read that Vegas is one of the most expensive places to eat now. When did this become OK? With all the gambling around America, you would think that Vegas would want to set itself apart and go back to what made them “VEGAS”. Live action Table Games, Keno Runners, and Friendly Staff waiting on your needs. Yes, gambling is what made Vegas; however, Personal Friendly Service and a good value for your money was the winning combination. Yes, gas and airline prices have gotten out of control and getting to Vegas is much more expensive than it used to be. However; anyone that has priced Vegas Hotels, Food and Gambling lately, will tell you that getting to Vegas is not the only thing that has gotten out of control. Vegas’ main visitors that have kept Vegas growing the past 20 years are those who want Live Gaming Tables, Reasonabley Priced Food and Rooms, and a personal touch that you don’t get anywhere else. If Vegas gets back to those basic ideas it will thrive when other areas aren’t. It’s sad to see Steve Wynn’s new property out for the Rich. The middle class are the ones who made him what he is today, yet he turned his back on them and forgot who loved The Golden Nugget and The Mirage. Other Casino’s have done the same thing. Gus Runte wrote on September 05, 2008 05:55 PM: Yes, I'm his brother. We, too, loved LV; however, as Al has pointed out, the change to picture dealers and the distance we have to drive has pointed our change in direction to local California Indian casinos. Some things need to change as Mr. Barack and Mr. McCain are telling us; others should remain as is. Way to tell the story, Al! Dave wrote on September 01, 2008 08:08 PM: I agree Sad Summerlin and I wish more players were like you. Indeed, a dealer should only be tipped for bringing 'excitement' to the game. Dealers are a dime a dozen and it even irks me (yes, I am a dealer) to watch a robot pitching cards. Sad Summerlin wrote on September 01, 2008 06:41 PM: No Dave... not the dealers fault either... and if people abuse the dealer for a losing streak they should be thrown out of the casino ASAP. The dealer is a customer service representative and a face for the game... I am more willing to tip a cheerful talkative dealer, than one that shows up with a scowl on their face and just turns cards... in fact, a machine has more personality than many entitlement dealers at some of the "off-strip" resorts. Red Rock and GVR have some excellent dealers with great personalities... but they seem to be a dying breed. In my book... Dealers and Bartenders get tipped for their personality and their "public relations".... not their mechanical motions... Sheldon & Christine Smith wrote on September 01, 2008 06:12 PM: The real Nevada is still alive, somewhat, in downtown Las Vegas at clubs like the Golden Gate and El Cortez, etc.! Dave wrote on September 01, 2008 05:21 PM: explain again to me why I need to tip the dealer just because he/she flipped over a winning set of cards? Really? Cuz the Dealer made it happen right? Not me who made the investment... He/She EARNED the money by standing there right? Maybe so, but you certainly have no problem BLAMING the dealer when the cards fall in the houses favor. 0u812 wrote on August 31, 2008 08:13 PM: What did Mr.Runte's generation give too seniors, NOTHING. There was no senior discounts, no AARP, they smoked and gambled where ever they wanted. Why does his generation expect to be pampered when they gave nothing to their senior citizens they paid the same as he. senior citizens today please keep quiet as you told your senior citizens to be. Mr. Runte your generation started the corporate take over of today. Sad Summerlin wrote on August 31, 2008 07:08 PM: Tim, Slots are tighter in Vegas than ever before, but they are still on average the loosest in the world... shocking huh? Everyone else... Progress sucks doesn't it... guess the success of Vegas now is dependent on attracting a new market than the aging crowd who like the old style games and dealers... explain again to me why I need to tip the dealer just because he/she flipped over a winning set of cards? Really? Cuz the Dealer made it happen right? Not me who made the investment... He/She EARNED the money by standing there right? That's also why I need to pay the bartender a tip when he/she counts out my money that I won when I invested... what did the bartender do to earn that money but stand there and poor my drinks (which I am happy to tip for)... It is this "entitlement" from the service staff that is quickly putting off the younger generations and turning them to video products who don't give attitude or demand extra gratuity for doing nothing... Tim wrote on August 31, 2008 02:00 PM: i've been here 30 yrs.slots get tighter every yr.as they have been since corporations took over.they should put suckers welcome at the entrance.here's a sure bet,people would walk right by it and still gamble. Observer wrote on August 31, 2008 07:01 AM: Excellent article and, unfortunately, so true. While it's certainly a fact that for a Casino to exist, not everybody can win, now it seems that nobody can win! Has anyone noticed how tight they have screwed down the slot machines recently? And many Black-Jack tables have been replaced by other table games with odds severely slanted to the house. As for the new 'electronic' games, if there is anything dumber than playing Roulette, it's playing Roulette with an electronic dealer. But I guess if one grew up in a generation that can pick a spouse on 'My Space', then playing Black Jack with a cyber-dealer is no big deal. The bottom line is that it used to be fun to gamble, and now it's not so much fun. Next Saturday night, why not drive by your favorite Casino, open the car window and throw out a $100.00 bill! Then go home to bed. Same thing! Read All Comments