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Reader Poll Replies:
* I dont like the idea of food around where I am gambling.
Donna T. AK
* Sure, if the casino wants
to give me smacks for free, I am in and welcome a little nourishment. Juan
R.
* I think you are going to
have many "undesirables" in those areas trying to get a free meal.
Bob L NJ
* I think that is a
fantastic idea. There are times when I am on a roll and do not want to
leave a machine but hunger takes over and a snack just then would be
great. Jean Bloom-Smith Henderson Nevada
* Utilizing existing
technology, machines could be monitored for use by casino club members,
and flagged by the pit boss, servers could provide snacks to documented
"mini-whales" or consistent customers. Except for the greasy "spin"
button, it sounds like a good idea. Mount a food tray on the otherwise
non-functional coin bin on machines that pay out with paper slips.
Sounds like the follow-up to mounting a Visa card reader on the
machines. Not all VIPs play Blackjack. (No food at the 21 table)
Don Bartley Portland OR
* I suppose if I was playing
a slot machine and got hungry, a free bag of snacks might keep me there
donating my money longer but I'd hate to see empty bags and crumbs all
around the casino. They'd better have a sharp clean-up crew. Donna
Wallman Maineville OH
* I imagine that if Casinos
want to give people playing slots food, it's their own business.
With free food and drinks, people will still have to get up sometime. William
Cameron York, PA
* It's a good idea from the
casino perspective. It keeps the player in action by preventing them
from making trips to the cafe, and also cuts down on expense of comped
buffets and cafe meals. Salty snacks mean more business for the cocktail
waitresses too! The customer feels a greater value added with the extra
perk. Jay Fenster Las Vegas, NV
* Certainly. I think it's
good to receive free snacks while gambling. I usually forget that I'm
hungry or haven't eaten. A free snack and drink will keep me happy & at
the slot machines. Nancy Fabian Franklin WI
* Why not! They bring food
to the poker rooms just like room service. As long as it doesn't impede
other players or slow down the game I'm for it. Use the little handheld
order takers like they have at Major league Games and Bring Me Some
Snacks! TIm Buxton NC
* Sounds good to me, will
they do it at the poker tables also? Rosemay McLain
Mobile, AL
* Better food than alcohol
as the worst gambling decision is the decision to drink while playing.
Masrk Lubnow Sunbury PA
* I think it would depend on the
type of snacks provided and the attempts made to keep the area neat and
clean. This would be less offensive than all the dirty ashtrays!
Judi Evans Cincinnati, OH
* We are the fattest nation
on earth, so I am sure people will be pleased to have a snack, along
with their free drink while gambling. It is human nature to get excited
and enjoy something of value that is "free", so to speak. I am not
sure how many hands I need: 1 for my drink, 1 for my snack, and 1 to
play? I may have to use my feet to play the machine, so I can eat and
drink at the same time. Janae Griffith Ankeny, IA
* I don't base my
gambling decisions on when , where or how long I play at a particular
casino on the cocktails [or in the future what snacks they offer]. I
don't think it will hurt things one little bit, that is of course unless
the cost of these snacks starts to cut into my comps! If I get bored
with a certain machine or casino, I'll move on no matter what "goodies"
the hand out. It may, however, keep those inside a bit longer on days
where the heat might be too unbearable. Robin Fitzsimmons
Bumpass, VA
* Snacks! It's about
time! Of course our higher-rollin' brothers and sisters have been able
to order themselves snacks, platters , dinners and etc while playing for
the big bucks for probably as long as there were casinos. Now it's the
turn of the low roller to get some back. Just try not to leave a
mess for the next person to use the machine. And how about putting
the servers on roller skates just like back in the old days at the
drive-in dog & burger joint. And where will we put the plate?
Bill Sheneman Red Hill PA
* No.....I already
almost burst my bladder before I'll leave my machine....now they are
adding a whole new issue! Elizabeth A. Bailey Lakeforest
IL
* I think it's a great idea.
When you are on the slot machine you may lose track of time. Especially
if you have a medical condition (diabetes). You need to snack/drink
something to keep your blood sugars on track. Kathy Yoda
Pearl City HI
* Free snacks are a nice
touch that I personally would like. But I imagine it may be distracting
for many players. Eddie Schulz Urbana OH
* Actually I think it is good idea
for the casino. If a customer is munching on a snack, they may be more
inclined to put another bill in the machine while they finish their
snack...Haven't you ever been waiting at your machine for a drink to
come, you use up your credits so you put another bill in the machine
until your drink arrives...it makes sense to me, a person will keep
munching/playing until their snack is finished...they just have to watch
for people that take advantage. Donna Kearns Austin Texas
* I think it's a great
idea. Not just for the player but for the casino. That would definitely
keep me gambling longer. When we are in Vegas, we usually just eat a
mid-morning breakfast and dinner. The snack shops are not usually near
the machines, so when you need a quick snack you have to stop gambling
to go find one. Not only would this be a convenience for the customer,
but the casinos would keep more people gambling longer between their
main meals. Sherry Pierce Maumee OH
* I think it is a bad
idea. When I play the slots, that is what I want to do. I don't want to
have snacks interrupting my play and taking up space on the machines. It
is bad enough when you go to play a machine and someone's drink glass
and full ashtray is still sitting there-now there will be food too. The
machines will get sticky and who wants to eat anyway while they are
handling dirty money or touching dirty machines! Kim Simmers
Lima OH
* I don't think this is a
good idea. They will have workers walking around trying to pass the
snacks out and workers walking around picking up the paper and vacuuming
up the mess in a already congested area. Mark Przybylo
Flat Rock MI
* No. It is a distraction.
Dolores Kling Alpine CA
* Sure I think it's a
great idea! "Eat and play - stay all day." Pat Bucher
Mount Airy
* I think it is great!
Sometimes I don't want to leave a hot machine but I get hungry. Louise
Knight Pottsboro TX
* I would have no problem
with it as long as it doesn't get out of hand. A snack is one thing but
if a "snack" morphs into a full-size tray of nachos, it could get messy
on and around the machines. Joe Coughlin Loxahatchee FL
* I think it's a great idea!
Whats not to like? When you're losing its nice to have something for
free. As long as they're not paying those employees out of slot payouts
I say Great! Joanne Kelly Holbrook MA
* I don't think it is
a great idea. Alcohol or other beverages is fine, but snacks are not.
The machines will be covered with grease, salt, etc and people will be
dropping the wrappers all over. If they want to have a complimentary
buffet of snack foods - give players a special token that they can
redeem at their convenience. Even though the name of the game is to keep
players playing - this is not the best way to do so. Dorothy
Monroe NY
* I do believe locals could
care less about snacks and they be messy... fingers, machines, etc. bad
idea... if you like like to give away, punch card for a buck...better
idea more profit....just my thought.. coming to vegas on the 12th for 3
days. could use tickets and spare change... thanks Dennis and Vicki
DEVRIES
* During my recent visit I
stood in line for the $3 million giveaway at various Harrahs owned
casinos. A number of other persons in line appeared to be "street"
people. In addition, a self-admitted alcoholic bus driver also extolled
the virtues of getting free drinks in casinos on the basis that the
waiters/waitresses really did not care who they gave them to as long as
they received a tip. A food giveaway may attract the same types of
people. James Shaner Mancos, CO
* It would be much better if
comps for food were give out instead of serving snacks while playing the
machines. A player could then accumulate comps and invite friends to
dine with him/her... also encouraging more players to visit the casino.
Phyllis Moore Las Vegas, NV
* I think that is a great
marketing idea! The traditional free drink marketing works for some
people but: the drinks take a very long time to be delivered causing
some people to give up and move one and some gamblers don't drink
alcohol. Everybody loves a snack and it is an immediate reward for
staying at your machine. Melissa Osika Valparaiso,
Indiana
* I think it is a great idea! I
think it is beneficial for both the player and the casino because people
will be more likely to stay and play more and if they get hungry they
would have the option to stay longer on their winning or losing streak.
Although there is always the question of how many people are going to be
leaving around garbage because of the snacks, so as long as the casino
kept things maintained it would be a marvelous idea. Emily
Kuphal Pewaukee, WI
* It is good for the players
and bad for the casino. The players will be grateful, and full. They
will continue to gamble, but will not leave to go to the casino
restaurant. Maybe the casino will make more money if the players
continue to gamble and maybe they won't. Joyce Beaman
Flagstaff AZ
* I don't think snacks
are necessary at slot machines. Can you imagine the crumbs that will be
left everywhere along with all the trash left behind. YUK. I vote
no to the snack idea. Anne Rockwell Connersville IN
* I think it's a good
idea to offer "comforts" like this to players - but I think most people
would prefer a more rewarding player points/comp system than free snacks
that might not be to their liking. Just like the free drinks, pretty
soon everyone will be doing it, so it will become expected, and not
"special" any more. For a casino to really differentiate themselves,
they should be offering unique incentives - and the best way to do that
is through their comp system. Eleanor Elliott Canada
* European casinos offer a
wide variety of snacks and drinks while you are playing slots. It really
is a nice touch. It should help both the players and the casinos as it
keeps the players at the machines. They don't have to go eat so often
and they can keep putting their money into the machines. Of course,
there is the issue of handling a dirty machine and then grabbing a
snack! Cindy Ballard Battle Creek, MI
* I think that serious
slot players just want to be left alone to play. The more interruptions,
the more aggravating it is. If they must do this though, here's a better
idea: Casino employees walking around with $10 or $20 cash bills which
they insert into the slot machine as a spontaneous bonus for slot
players. "Cash" speaks louder than anything else. Russ
Riverside
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