Two years ago Gary Hamm and his wife gambled $200 at the Bellagio.
About two months ago it paid off.
He opened the mailbox at his Tacoma, Wash., home and found an offer from Bellagio for three free nights plus $50 in free play and food and drink credits.
"I was amazed, really," said Hamm. "Usually you expect to hear from casinos if you gamble a lot of money. We stayed there for three days and really didn't gamble much."
If it sounds like an expensive way to attract customers, that's because it is.
Las Vegas hoteliers are raking in $5.8 million per day less than they were a year ago, according to the latest figures from the convention and visitors authority.
And that is just on room rates.
It doesn't include all the free food, cheap or free booze, gambling inducements and show ticket discounts.
Properties across town -- from swank Strip retreats to humble downtown joints -- are offering more to get less than they were a year ago.
Even with room rates nearly 31 percent lower than 12 months ago as an enticement for customers, gambling revenue was down $3.8 million per day in Clark County.
"I think it is war out there right now," said Michael Crandall, director of business affairs for the Siegel Cos.
For the complete story, please see Benjamin Spillman, With economy sagging, Las Vegas hotel-casinos offer bargains, Las Vegas Review-Journal, June 28, 2009.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment