It's the end of the world as we know it

[emax4]

In Pittsburgh's Rivers casino, they have smoking and non-smoking sections. of course, this doesn't deter smokers from playing machines in the non-smoking sections though. Still, I miss going there.

[Jester]

I went to a casino yesterday (let's call it "DogForest").

Amusingly, "DogForest" is the last casino I ever gambled in, back in 98 or 99, just before I started my career as a magician. Though I gave up gambling not because of the magic, but because I learned my lesson (luckily not a very costly or bitter one) in "DogForest" that day. Still had fun, though.

And other than the occasional sports bet with friends, I haven't gambled since, not even when I was in Las Vegas after being hired to perform at a private party there by a guy who saw me perform in Key West. I did enjoy watching some of the more entertaining blackjack dealers, though.

[Food Lady]

I've never gambled. I have zero interest in it. But some people are addicted. All I can say about the SCs in the OP is "Addicts act like addicts." [disclaimer: I am not saying all of you who gamble are addicts.]

[Peppergirl]

I don't gamble either. I guess cuz I work in one? I dunno sorry for the rant it's just we're so short handed and nobody cares that they are running us into the ground. *sigh* I guess I shouldn't judge how people like to play. It's just been a craptastic week.

Do NOT apologize. That is what we are here for. Vent away and do so as often as you'd like. It's very theraputic!

[Divra]

My guess is that most casinos allow it to keep people gambling, instead of going to do other things. Personally, I think it's disgusting, and I smoke.

Having a smoking section in a public room is like having a peeing section in a pool.

[Jester]

Having a smoking section in a public room is like having a peeing section in a pool.

I hate to break this to you, but that would be every public pool, everywhere. Because kids are lazy and guys are gross. Some girls, too.

[jjc927]

I can see people not wanting to use the kiosks. As with supermarkets with Uscans, there are always those who will refuse to use machines at all costs. Casinos I've been too will also limit how much you can cash out on them and if you have more than that than you do have to go to a cashier.

As for smoking in the casinos, the Atlantic City casinos do allow it in some areas. They did briefly ban smoking when the smoking ban took effect in 2006 but then let people smoke in them again after they started losing money. The casino in New York I've been too didn't allow it anywhere inside.

[Jester]

I can kind of understand the reluctance to the use the kiosks to cash in. I personally don't have an issue with machines, with the singular exception being that when I make a deposit, I always do it inside the bank, as I just can see an error being made in the ATM, and getting screwed with no recourse to get back the money that I would lose. I'm probably overly paranoid about that, but hey, my money, my bank account, I can be paranoid. And unlike the people at the casino under discussion, I am not an asshat when I go into my bank. Hell, at the main branch, most of the tellers and management actually know me by name...and one of them doesn't even need my account number when I walk in, because she automatically knows it by now. (Or she just looks up my account by my name....don't really know.)

[Peppergirl]

Ok guys, I realize the OP did ask why people would not want to use the kiosks, but I really just think she was venting and doesn't really expect or need an answer.

Therefore, can we please move along and away from this line of comments?

Thanks!

[ralerin]

Amusingly, "DogForest" is the last casino I ever gambled in, back in 98 or 99, just before I started my career as a magician. Though I gave up gambling not because of the magic, but because I learned my lesson (luckily not a very costly or bitter one) in "DogForest" that day. Still had fun, though.

Gambling is all fun and games until you lose. Then it's the worst thing ever.

Brought in about $100 and made it back, plus profit. Because I set some ground rules for myself, did not go over budget, left my credit card at home and got lucky. My mother? Lost nearly every penny.

[Tuxian]

Do they even allow you to? While I'm sure this type of policy varies, I had always heard that most casinos will not let their employees play at their own casinos at all, and that competitors keep photos of them in books and disallow table play. The latter goes double for dealers, I would imagine.

It's not so much the casino that forbids employee play, but sometimes it's the law. Down here in my neck of the woods, anyone who holds a Gaming License from the state is legally forbidden to place a wager at the casino(s) they are licensed to work for. However it's perfectly fine for them to go to another property if they get the gaming itch. But yeah, most dealers around here don't play, or play very little, since we spend so much time behind the table that standing in front of it really has no appeal anymore.

[EricKei]

Smoking - varies by locality and establishment. I only know of one here that even has a no-smoking area, but it's all the way in the back, so you gotta pass the smoking areas to get there >_> And, their idea of "enforcement" just means that they don't have ashtrays sitting out, tho that's about it x.x

In a somewhat tangential vein -- When casinos were first "officially" allowed here, land-based casinos were still illegal (and may still be). One of them - who shall not be named - ...shall we say, "helped" to get a law passed that required all of the "boat" casinos to set sail on a regular basis for a certain number of hours, with the exception of their own, land-based property. Turns out, gamblers HATE being stuck on a moving boat for hours, especially after they have run out of money. Imagine that! A few years later, the law was modified/revoked; thus, while that one casino is still the only non-boat, none of the boats have to sail anymore at all, tho they do have to remain seaworthy. I guess having mobile casinos did come in handy for Katrina, though. They could just weigh anchor and go to another port for a few months ^_^

It's not so much the casino that forbids employee play, but sometimes it's the law.

Cool. Thanks!