A new front was opened in the war on the Las Vegas freebie with technology recently deployed by Caesars Entertainment that ensures sure bar-top video poker players earn their comped drinks.
As reported by local TV station KTNV, the new automated drink monitoring system informs a bartender of your play with different colored lights: Insert $20 into a video poker machine and a blue light turns on. If you play a few max bets, your light will turn green. If you keep up the pace the drinks will keep coming. If you stop or slow down, the light will turn red and the drinks will stop.
The casino giant didn’t have much to say about it beyond a short statement cited by the KTNV:
“Caesars Entertainment has implemented the comp validation system statewide throughout our Nevada resorts. This system enables us to offer complimentary beverages to those gamers who choose max play at our video poker bar top units.”
“It happened overnight,” said Scott Roeben, founder of a popular blog called VitalVegas. “The bartenders are still getting used to it, the customers are definitely still getting used to it. If you slow down, turn and talk to a friend, there’s a chance that your pace could be too slow and they will start you over again. The bartenders have a little flexibility but not very much.”
Roeben said he was “really upset” when he first heard about it.
“I was riled, and I would rant on my blog.”
But no more.
“I’m getting on board with it just because I realized I love big shiny things and how does a casino make more big shiny things if they’re not making money.”
