Genting buffet?

Chinese restaurant inside Resorts World. It has peeking duck carving station and the other typical chinese food. Their soup isn't part of the buffet, but looks awesome. It's a dinner buffet and they have dress code. No sports gear, hats, etc...I have a $25 dining credit and $50 free slot play to use. Mrs. CMO has $15 dining credit and $25 slot play.

I got more exact slot "hold" numbers.  Study done by UNLV.

From 2004 to today for slots, the holds increased in the casinos favor by about 2% for both downtown and on the strip.  So 2004 both were about  5% holds.  Today they're 7%.  Which means you will lose 7% of every $100 dollars if you played for infinite amount of time.  Compare this to max bet on the pass line at craps, it's like 1.41%.  Or if you're at the Plaza where they have 10X odds, it lowers to like 0.97% for max bet on the pass line.

I got more exact slot "hold" numbers.  Study done by UNLV.

From 2004 to today for slots, the holds increased in the casinos favor by about 2% for both downtown and on the strip.  So 2004 both were about  5% holds.  Today they're 7%.  Which means you will lose 7% of every $100 dollars if you played for infinite amount of time.  Compare this to max bet on the pass line at craps, it's like 1.41%.  Or if you're at the Plaza where they have 10X odds, it lowers to like 0.97% for max bet on the pass line.

This is probably the reason why the casinos are cramming more slot machines into the gambling area and shrinking the table games, especially craps, which is a very labor-intensive game to run.

Also the video macsak shared makes me think that pretty soon the casinos will have crossed the line as to how far they can push these nickel and dime fees and extra expenses.

In my opinion the "whales" do a lot to keep the lights on in Vegas.  But with the never ending expectation demands of the shareholders every year, if the majority of the Vegas visitors decide not to visit anymore or reduce their visits, it will impact their bottom line.

After all, the extra fees on show tickets, resort fees for rooms, parking fees, and the restaurant "hidden kitchen" fees or some bullshit like that are being charged to regular average visitors as the "whales" usually get comped these things.

I want it to happen.  I want the Vegas industry to feel the pain of their own doing.

Then I can gloat and say "Guud fo yoo, yoo fackahs....."

This is probably the reason why the casinos are cramming more slot machines into the gambling area and shrinking the table games, especially craps, which is a very labor-intensive game to run.

Also the video macsak shared makes me think that pretty soon the casinos will have crossed the line as to how far they can push these nickel and dime fees and extra expenses.

In my opinion the "whales" do a lot to keep the lights on in Vegas.  But with the never ending expectation demands of the shareholders every year, if the majority of the Vegas visitors decide not to visit anymore or reduce their visits, it will impact their bottom line.

After all, the extra fees on show tickets, resort fees for rooms, parking fees, and the restaurant "hidden kitchen" fees or some bullshit like that are being charged to regular average visitors as the "whales" usually get comped these things.

I want it to happen.  I want the Vegas industry to feel the pain of their own doing.

Then I can gloat and say "Guud fo yoo, yoo fackahs....."

Pre-covid, when you walk the strip, it's almost shoulder to shoulder.  Even in the 100+ degree heat.  Since covid and until today, it's no longer like that.  I suspect that the middle income and lower is a result of this cause they've been pushed out of Vegas.  Higher income I would assume usually have a ride to places. 

I wonder if more and more of the middle income demographics are migrating towards Downtown and off-strip properties in search of a better value for their dollars.

I think all of the Vegas areas have increased prices and installed ridiculous fees but maybe not so much as the Strip does.

I do know that Fremont Canopy is so crowded nowadays I don't care to walk down it.  I duck into Binions and walk through the casino to get to Fremont Casino/Four Queens.  Other than Circa, that's the only reason I'll venture out Downtown nowadays.

I wonder if more and more of the middle income demographics are migrating towards Downtown and off-strip properties in search of a better value for their dollars.

I think all of the Vegas areas have increased prices and installed ridiculous fees but maybe not so much as the Strip does.

I do know that Fremont Canopy is so crowded nowadays I don't care to walk down it.  I duck into Binions and walk through the casino to get to Fremont Casino/Four Queens.  Other than Circa, that's the only reason I'll venture out Downtown nowadays.

I would say those migrating downtown are the just below middle income as that's the vibe I get when we go.  Not low class, but not middle either.  Since $5 tables are gone and there aren't really any food deals like how there was before, the lower income are gone.

There are more white people year round downtown compared to the strip.  And more blacks at night.  Like during thanksgiving, the strip had a lot of Indians, middle easterns,  and Asians. Same for Xmas.  Then just non-holidays it was evenly distributed.  Unless there was a black musician performing, then the casino would be filled with black people.

Don't see much if any Indians and middle eastern people downtown.  Not many HI people like precovid too.

I wonder if more and more of the middle income demographics are migrating towards Downtown and off-strip properties in search of a better value for their dollars.

I think all of the Vegas areas have increased prices and installed ridiculous fees but maybe not so much as the Strip does.

I do know that Fremont Canopy is so crowded nowadays I don't care to walk down it.  I duck into Binions and walk through the casino to get to Fremont Casino/Four Queens.  Other than Circa, that's the only reason I'll venture out Downtown nowadays.

I stayed downtown many times before, during and after the canopy was built over Fremont Street.  Lady Luck, Fremont, Binion's, and The Cal were my usual spots to stay.  I tried to limit the number of places I spread my money across so I could earn comps more quickly -- just like frequent flyer mileage.

At first, just closing off the street for traffic was a big improvement.  i didn't feel as exposed walking between casinos.  The canopy was an even better "feel."  but then they launched the Freemont Street Experience with all the moving lights on the canopy and horrendously loud music.  Luckily there was a break between shows and a curfew to let downtown hotel occupants have quiet time for sleep.

Then came the band stands.  Not a big deal, but during holiday weekends, the street was blocked so they could collect entry fees and stop anyone underage from going unaccompanied.  Had to cut down a block or through Binion's to bypass the street without paying. 

Then came the street performers.  As more people migrated from the more expensive strip to downtown, the performers followed.  The powers that be had to institute a system to keep performers in one place and limit the number of them.  You had to get a permit for a specific spot and stay inside that marked-off area when performing.  i heard the early permit holders made a killing renting their spots to other performers who got placed on a very long and slow wait list.

Now i stroll there midday to go to Walgreens when I need.  If it's getting crowded, I use the opportunity to take a walk and think about where I want to go.  I don't like a zipline zooming above my head when there's all that booze around.  it's all i need to have some drunk out-of-towner puke as he zips overhead! 

Now, it's not uncommon to be able to hear the stage performance until mid night or even later when you're in a room that you can see Fremont St.

They now have "circles" that performers need to apply for a permit to be in.  IDK if you have to actually be in the circle, or just in it's general area.  And if it's the 1st one, then Metro isn't enforcing it.

What I hate is the performers who demand money before doing anything. They talk for like 20 mins and try to get money out of people then they do their show.  I never stood around long enough to see their show, I left after 5 mins. And most tourist standing around and waiting don't know any better.  There's enough doing this that it's profitable for the performers.

If there's a good band playing Fremont St. Experience can be very hard to navigate.  I feel so bad when almost everyone is standing and enjoying the band and here I come "excuse me...excuse me...sorry.....excuse me....oops sorry....excuse me....."

Have no idea who the band is and it seems I'm the only one in the world that doesn't.

A sea of humanity and I'm the only minnow that wants to swim across it.

If there's a good band playing Fremont St. Experience can be very hard to navigate.  I feel so bad when almost everyone is standing and enjoying the band and here I come "excuse me...excuse me...sorry.....excuse me....oops sorry....excuse me....."

Have no idea who the band is and it seems I'm the only one in the world that doesn't.

A sea of humanity and I'm the only minnow that wants to swim across it.

Been there, done that.  I usually wind up walking through Binion's or bypassing Fremont Street a block over.

Don't know why I'd spend my time in Vegas listening to open-air bands when there are games to be played!!  If I want a show, I'll buy tickets online for one of the big shows on the Strip.  I always enjoyed those.

If there's a good band playing Fremont St. Experience can be very hard to navigate.  I feel so bad when almost everyone is standing and enjoying the band and here I come "excuse me...excuse me...sorry.....excuse me....oops sorry....excuse me....."

Have no idea who the band is and it seems I'm the only one in the world that doesn't.

A sea of humanity and I'm the only minnow that wants to swim across it.

They're local cover bands. So nothing special.

EDC is this weekend. It's the biggest rave in the nation. About 500K will attend for the 3 days at the Raceway Park.

Before, EDC wasn't always in Vegas, but various cities.  They've settled in Vegas for years now.

Food prices:

10 street tacos for $70
10 empanada's for $60
1 whole pizza for $96 (unsure the size)
6 sushi rolls for $100 (unsure what kind of rolls, but 5 small pieces of spicy tuna on cristy rice at Tao in the Venetian is $25. The size of the rice are slightly larger than 1 die (aka dice).)

Cost of a booth per the events vendor packet 10x10 is $3-4K.

So assuming only 100 people ordered street tacos and their profit margin is 50%, they would break even.

Last year 1 bowl of average ramen that was a small bowl was $36.

Too bad the venue cannot tell vendors to lower prices cause you know, where's the "PLUR".  Or open an area for lunch trucks.

Metro loves to work EDC cause compared to other concerts, this one has the least amount of trouble. As in less fights, but more medical stuff due to the drug culture and raves.  They also like the people as they're much more friendly due to PLUR compared to other events.  It's common for Metro to get "candy" from attendees (wrist bracelets).

EDC is this weekend. It's the biggest rave in the nation. About 500K will attend for the 3 days at the Raceway Park.

Before, EDC wasn't always in Vegas, but various cities.  They've settled in Vegas for years now.

Food prices:

10 street tacos for $70
10 empanada's for $60
1 whole pizza for $96 (unsure the size)
6 sushi rolls for $100 (unsure what kind of rolls, but 5 small pieces of spicy tuna on cristy rice at Tao in the Venetian is $25. The size of the rice are slightly larger than 1 die (aka dice).)

Cost of a booth per the events vendor packet 10x10 is $3-4K.

So assuming only 100 people ordered street tacos and their profit margin is 50%, they would break even.

Last year 1 bowl of average ramen that was a small bowl was $36.

Too bad the venue cannot tell vendors to lower prices cause you know, where's the "PLUR".  Or open an area for lunch trucks.

Metro loves to work EDC cause compared to other concerts, this one has the least amount of trouble. As in less fights, but more medical stuff due to the drug culture and raves.  They also like the people as they're much more friendly due to PLUR compared to other events.  It's common for Metro to get "candy" from attendees (wrist bracelets).

Enjoy the Erectile Dysfunction Convention.  I've never been -- for obvious reasons.

"Metro loves to work EDC cause compared to other
concerts, this one has the least amount of trouble.
As in less fights, but more medical stuff ..."

Probably a result of low testosterone.

Looks like ticket prices just to attend are super-high as well.  Cheapest general admission i saw was over $400 per person for a 3-day pass.  That's for standing only.  Much more expensive for better tickets.

Enjoy the Erectile Dysfunction Convention.  I've never been -- for obvious reasons.

"Metro loves to work EDC cause compared to other
concerts, this one has the least amount of trouble.
As in less fights, but more medical stuff ..."

Probably a result of low testosterone.

Looks like ticket prices just to attend are super-high as well.  Cheapest general admission i saw was over $400 per person for a 3-day pass.  That's for standing only.  Much more expensive for better tickets.

Raves are "standing only" as there are no chair seating like at a concert.  But you can also spend like $20K and get a table or a cabana like area that does have a place to sit.  Think of it like Woodstock, but for rave music with regard to the standing.  You need to muscle your way to get to the front of the stage and if you leave, your spot is gone.

$400 for 3 days is a good real considering the event goes all for many hours.  Much longer than any concert would.  That too is why the food vendors charge a lot, they know you will be there for 6 hours and become hungry.  You also won't leave the venue just to grab food and return.

My friend went 1 year and made the mistake of staying until the days show ended (6am or so).  It took them 5 hours to exit the parking lot.  Some people cut down the fence in the parking lot so they could hit the highway easier.

Back in my day, raves were more underground type culture.  Now it's the popular thing to do.  Lots of douche type younger club goers.  And the EDM (Eletronic Dance Music) now sucks compared to what was being made in the late 90s and early 00's. 

At least in Europe the EDM is still good.

The funny thing is that this year the host hotel is Virgin Hotel.  Not only is that place off strip, but it's dead for gambling.  Their rewards program is being re-done cause it currently sucks.

Last year it was Resorts World, which made more sense cause at least they're more on the strip.  Guess Virgin Hotels offered more money.

I would also start a casual dining/takeout restaurant with cheap prices.  Like precovid vegas style $5.99 steak or $0.99 shrimp cocktail.  But with good quality food and amazing diner type recipes.

As the place becomes busier, I will expand so people aren't waiting 2 hours to dine in.

Pay all workers a good wage and good benefits.

2024 report released by the tourism dept.

14% of visitors are 1st timers.  IDK what this stat was precovid as anything post covid, it's hard to compare the numbers to what it used to be like.

They did say that precovid, about 46% of people saw some kind of show. Today, that number is 21%. Shows are like cirque solei, music artist, magicians, etc...

Going from memory, so give or take a few %.

2024 report released by the tourism dept.

14% of visitors are 1st timers.  IDK what this stat was precovid as anything post covid, it's hard to compare the numbers to what it used to be like.

They did say that precovid, about 46% of people saw some kind of show. Today, that number is 21%. Shows are like cirque solei, music artist, magicians, etc...

Going from memory, so give or take a few %.

As far as show in Vegas, how many people want to sit in a crowded theater with hundreds of others after being conditioned with social distancing? 

Cirque du Soleil was in financial troubles before the pandemic.  When that happened, they had to shut down all their shows worldwide.  Afterward, they had to rehire and train performers, and not all the previous cast was available to return, so restarting took time and money to pay actors and stage crews to train for reopening.

Ticket prices for Vegas shows are not cheap, and for regular visitors, there are just so many shows each person is interested in seeing.  Most of the shows, if you've seen them once, you don't want to drop that amount of cash a second time unless you know the act has changed.

With hotels and casinos demanding more of the tourists' dollars with new and higher fees and taxes, it's a wonder any first timer has the cash to see a show.

Just came back.

Let it ride is not offered as often as it used to be.  Surpisingly, Harrahs had a $5 LIR table. But the next day it was $10, which is still low as most are $15.  I told an older dealer this at Resorts World and they were shocked the game was still around.  Venetian has it too, but it wasn't open for the 5 days we were there.  Well the table is still there anyways.

More bad F1 info from dealers. The normal casino floor dealers don't make much.  "Richer" people who attend don't tip well. I never asked about High Limit room and tips.  THis was dealers from Resorts World, Venetian, and Mandalay Bay.

Lots of bubble craps available.  This seems like the new thing to play.  Mrs. CMO went on a 38 roll at the one at Aria.  But she was only betting $3 pass line with even odds and $3 6 and 8.Plus she was playing the field for $3. So when the 6 or 8 hit, she only profitted $0.50 as she lost $3 from her field bet. But a 38 roll is a "god roll".

April numbers are released and Vegas is down 3.5% for gaming from April 2024.

But they also break it down by airline. Spirit Air is down 26% of travelers from April 2024. This supports my suspicion that Vegas has priced out the cheaper people.  Spirit Air is known for cheap flights and low class people.  AKA fights on board, fights/arguments at the check in, etc...

All other airlines are down by less than 3%.

So all the high food prices today and table mins, fees, automatic FNB charges, etc...mean less people coming.