Changes at Casino Niagara:
(1) Cashback rate almost quadruples.
(2) Millionaires bar with high-stakes baccarat is closed.
(3) Large holdem poker room added to lower level.
(4) New sports betting parlour opened on lower level.
(5) Lower level - previously 100% non-smoking now 100% smoking.
(6) Upper level - previously 100% smoking - now 80% smoking.
DATABASE NOTE AT BOTTOM
This month's mailer indicated a significant change in direction
at the (old) Casino Niagara.
As background, be aware thay're no longer the only game in town. In
the last two years 2 new casinos have opened - the new Fallsview
Casino on the Canadian side, and Seneca Niagara on the US side.
Apparently the competition has been killing them. The fact that
Seneca Niagara allows smoking almost everywhere may have something to
do with it.
The boothlings at the player's club had traditionally been very
secretive about cashback and comp rates. I estimated the old cashback
rate was around 0.12% - hardly worth the trip.
So, it's big news when they (a) raise the rate - it's now 0.50%, and
(b) publish the rate for the world to see:
From the January club newletter:
"Beginning Jan 2, 2006...
every time you play the slots or video poker using your card...
...every $20 played = 1 point...
...Redeem your points - 100 points = $10"
They've revamped the casino layout as follows:
- it still has 3 levels (it's built into the side of a hill).
- lowest (street) level
- formerly had a small number of machines (50 - 75).
- now has zero gaming. Just the Hard Rock Cafe.
- lower level (previously the non-smoking casino).
- Baccarat room closed.
- Millionaires Bar closed.
- about 40% of the slots were removed to make room for
a humongous poker room.
- large open bar area installed at the base of the escalator
Video poker machines buit into bartops (LOUSY paytables).
- new sports betting parlour with lots of big screen tv's.
- smoking now allowed everwhere on this floor.
- upper level (previously 100% smoking).
- moved the Player's club booth to the entrance rotunda.
- closed the old Niagara Bar, and built a cashier's wicket
in that area.
- built a new high limit slot area at the corner of the "L".
- relocated the pit areas - it looks like they've added more
tables.
- reworked the old "Marliyn's lounge" to be swankier.
- put a small non-smoking area in at the short end of the "L".
I find it interesting that the (2 year) new Premier of Ontario, who
is accelerating the timetable for banning smoking from all commercial
businesses in the province, has blatantly reversed this policy when
it threatens his government's pocketbook. What's good for the goose
is apparently not good for the Gander
in Ontario.
VIDEO POKER INVENTORY
- contary to a previous report, they have NOT removed all of the
fullpay Pickem Poker. The (5) 50-cent Gamemakers remain. They are on
the lower level overlooking the escalator/waterfall area. They were
relocated (from your 2 o'clock to your 5 o'clock as you're going down
the escalator). There are 3 banks of slantops here - 5 machines, 3,
and about 8. Two of the 3 banks are short-pay. The bank of 5 is
fullpay.
The rest of the VP is still unplayable.
Brian
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