Smokers? No drinks? Tight slots?
What's your biggest qualm with casinos?
Publishers of the 2013 American Casino Guide recently sifted through thousands of visitor reviews to put together a list of the top five complaints gamblers have about casinos.
The guide is published by Casino Vacations Press and offers information about more than 750 resorts, riverboats and Indian casinos in 41 states.
What irks people the most? Here’s a look at players' most common pet peeves:
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Ron Lurie, general manager of Arizona Charlie's near Decatur and Charleston, shows the enclosed no-smoking area of the casino. Lurie says the $80,000 project included new carpeting, wallpaper and ceiling tiles, as well as a thorough scouring of the 117 machines. Photo by: Justin M. Bowen
5. Too Smoky
Ventilation systems are no match for the ashtray odor floating through some casinos.
On the upside, many resorts offer nonsmoking areas and smoke-blasting gaming tables.
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8 p.m.: People lined up on Dec. 31 to get their fill of New Year's Eve eats at the Palms' Bistro Buffet.
Las Vegas residents Octaviano and Agenlica Moreno brought their daughter, Giselle, to the buffet for a special New Year's Eve dinner. While the family wasn't planning on staying at the Palms until the clock struck 12, Giselle didn't seem to mind. The youngster was all smiles and cute as can be as she tucked into a slice of chocolate cake while wearing a cute party dress and "happy new year" tiara.
Photo by: Melissa Arseniuk4. Long lines
Casino customers don't like having to stand in long lines at the buffet or players' club.
To avoid crowds, do like locals do: Plan to eat at an off time to minimize your wait.
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Walter Jones, a United Coin Machines slot technician, smiles at the end of his shift after running a temporary casino on the site of the historic Moulin Rouge casino on Bonanza Road Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The casino, the first integrated casino in Las Vegas, opened in May 1955 but closed in October of the same year. The temporary casino is held on the site every two years to preserve the gaming license to the property. Photo by: Steve Marcus
3. Lack of slot attendants
Because casinos have traded coins for tickets, fewer attendants hang out on the casino floor to help if a machine malfunctions. When that happens, players can be in for a long wait.
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A view of casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Photo by: Steve Marcus
2. Unenticing direct mail offers
“Dear Bob: Here’s $5 in free play. Now come to Las Vegas!”
Do casinos really think $5 will entice players to fly in or drive hours to get to Las Vegas? Most gamblers say it won't.
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Quarters clank into a video poker machine tray in the coin slot area at Eastside Cannery Thursday, April 15, 2010. Photo by: Sam Morris
1. Tight machines
It’s not much fun to sit at a slot machine that torches your cash in minutes.
Although most players know they'll eventually lose, they want to make their money last — and hopefully score a few free drinks while they play.
