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XVP - Could "free play" go away?

#1

Is it possible that "free play" or "slot dollars" could go away?

I didn't see any mention of this subject today on any of the forums I participate in. So I thought I'd share the links below.

This morning while looking at David McKee's "Stiffs & Georges" webpage
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/blogs/dmckee/
entries for August 31st, I noticed one of the headings had the words -No more "free" play? -, and a short paragraph about a legal decision involving free play at Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun in Connnecticut. Within the article was a link to a more in-depth story at
Casino Gambling Web - http://tinyurl.com/ms2zxl

Then I received my e-newsletter from Casino City Times and, lo and behold, they had an article about this court decision - http://tinyurl.com/nme83l

Now - even though I'm Diamond Level with HET (and have been for 4 yrs. now) I'm still pretty much "small fry", primarily being a low-denomination video poker player, and a$10-to-$40 avg, bet craps player. The largest, single "free play" voucher or offer I've ever received from any HET A.C casino has only been $25. But I'm sent Express Play coupons for $5, $10, and $15 consistently and regularly. Now, I know we refer to this as "cash back", "bounce back", "slot dollars", etc. - but it's all "free play" - right?

So the question becomes - if other states choose to go after the casinos for tax on the "added revenue" represented by the "free play" they take from their corporate pocket and put into ours, in what manner will the casinos recoup their loss & how will it impact players club benefits?

Neil M.

#2

I'm not familiar with all of the details in the CT case, but as far as NJ goes, the NJ Casino Revenue Tax formula reasonably allows for a deduction of promotional gaming credits in determining the taxable gaming revenue for a casino.

I would expect that's true in most major gaming jurisdictions (but don't know that to be fact). If so, then CT would stand as an exception and gaming patrons' Free Play benefits elsewhere aren't likely at risk.

nemartin2002 wrote:

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Is it possible that "free play" or "slot dollars" could go away?

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/blogs/dmckee/
Casino Gambling Web - http://tinyurl.com/ms2zxl
Casino City Times - http://tinyurl.com/nme83l

So the question becomes - if other states choose to go after the casinos for tax on the "added revenue" represented by the "free play" they take from their corporate pocket and put into ours, in what manner will the casinos recoup their loss & how will it impact players club benefits?

#3

As I reported in the VPFree New England forum, at least for September, there has not been any decline in the number/amounts of free play mailers I've received from Mohegan Sun. Whether that continues to hold true, we'll see.

Mohegan was very late into the game, only starting to offer free play within the last year or so. I think it has been very popular, and is offered on specific days, mostly during the week (or at least mine have been) with an occasional weekend offer when there is no major entertainment offering. I don't know whether they'll be so quick to stop it if free play is increasing their daily customer volume.

As an example, I had free play on Monday, there was a double points promo Tuesday, and I had free play again today. Upcoming free plays on 9/10-11, 9/15-16, 9/29-30. Also "mystery" free plays on Senior Mondays from 9/14-10/26

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I'm not familiar with all of the details in the CT case, but as far as NJ goes, the NJ Casino Revenue Tax formula reasonably allows for a deduction of promotional gaming credits in determining the taxable gaming revenue for a casino.

I would expect that's true in most major gaming jurisdictions (but don't know that to be fact). If so, then CT would stand as an exception and gaming patrons' Free Play benefits elsewhere aren't likely at risk.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#4

Is it possible that "free play" or "slot dollars" could go away?

I noticed one of the headings had the words -No more "free" play? -, and a short paragraph about a legal decision involving free play at Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun in Connnecticut. Within the article was a link to a more in-depth story at

Casino Gambling Web - http://tinyurl.com/ms2zxl

I can't really see free play going away any time soon, but one never knows.

I do know that without free play or equivalent replacement (such as actual cash back vouchers like we used to get), my VP play would go to zero. I suspect this is true for many people on this board.

EE

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--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "nemartin2002" <nemartin2002@...> wrote: