Last weekend while we were in Kansas City we went to Harrah’s Casino with some friends. We definitely needed an orientation to casinos as we hadn’t been to one since we were in Vegas over 3 years ago – for instance, we didn’t know you had to show your driver’s license to prove you’re over 21 and then they issue you a card. When you want to play a slot machine, you insert the card, then insert your $ and then you play. No card, no play. So why do they care about who you are and what you do while you’re in the casino? Just another “marketing” ploy similar to loyalty cards issued by grocery stores – what they really want is your personal gambling history.
Great – so now Harrah’s knows that I lost ~$20 in the course of 2 hours – they know that I prefer the penney slots but I play 9 lines at a time and bid twice the amount so each time I bid, I’m spending the grand total of 18 cents. No wonder it took me so long to lose my $20!
I didn’t really stop and think about the concept that night but having had time to reflect on the experience it really pisses me off. I pay them for my entertainment and in return they track my movements like Big Brother. Try as I might, I can’t figure out a way to game the system (pun intended).
Well I’ll get even with them – I just won’t gamble for at least another 3 years. So there! And when I get a grocery store loyalty card I lie about my personal info to confuse them – at least they don’t require a driver’s license to shop there.
Who’s watching you……………..and what do they know?
