Table Gaming – a Move into the Future
A speech prepared for the Casinos and Gaming Conference, on the Development of Table Gaming Technology to prevent continuing deterioration of facility market share.
By Andrew MacDonald
Casino Manager, Conrad Jupiters, 1997
What is happening to Casino Table Games?| Will this be allowed to continue till the eventual extinction of table games? Is a Casino still a Casino if is doesn’t offer table games? | Well you don’t have to be too bright obviously to use such an arbitrary system to your advantage. The more you bring the more you get and you don’t have to play any differently. | For high rollers on table games the same is true, although we certainly don’t advertise it as “Cash Back” for this group. | With a broad based accurate table rating system offering real benefits to customers the same could occur with table game players. | That may also be extended to ensure all systems within the facility may be interfaced to enhance service delivery to our customers. The future might be something like this… | A list of the issues which might be looked at include the following | Service delivery is obviously critical in today’s market place but knowing what to deliver and implementing change quickly to meet new needs is even more important. |
1. Cash Back
(a) Ability to redeem Bonus Dollars at a Gaming Machine by transfer to the credit meter.
(b) ATM style delivery of Bonus Dollars directly for cash.
2. F&B; Complimentaries
(a) Ability to direct debit complimentary accrual from an outlet.
(b) Ability to make a restaurant booking directly from a Gaming Machine or by a Pit Boss.
3. Parking
(a) Automatic free parking to identified customers (Brisbane).
(b) Ability to pay for parking by deduction from complimentaries or Bonus Dollars (Brisbane).
4. Room Complimentaries
(a) Casino complimentary system to interface with Hotel system. Hotel account to automatically be adjusted based on complimentaries earned and available at check out. (ATP customers only).
(b) Room key to double as “rating card”. Patron hands key to Floor Manager who swipes key to initiate player rating (or Club Conrad card to double as key).
5. Table Game Ratings
(a) RF device with swipe card reader to be held by Floor Manager. Real time up-date on ratings and complimentary availability.
(b) RF device to connect to restaurant booking system and drink attendant paging system.
6. Drink Service
(a) Ability to page an Attendant to a machine or table location.
(b) Ability for specific customers to order a drink from their location by using a RF device attached to the machine or table (i.e. direct order of drink).
(c) On insertion of Casino Rewards Gold Card the system to automatically page Drink Attendant or Host.
7. Entry Tickets into Promotions ATM style delivery of entry tickets into Casino Rewards Promotions.
8. Check-in (Hotel)
(a) Direct referencing to Casino Marketing information regarding player needs (type of room, special considerations, etc).
(b) Automatic paging of Casino Host depending on Client status.
9. Information Terminals
(a) Ability to check Bonus Dollar accruals and complimentary allowances at an ATM style terminal.
(b) Ability for Casino Rewards Card holders to make restaurant or showroom bookings.
(c) Information on Casino Promotions and Marketing Events.
All the above are clearly possible now with the sensible integration of existing computer systems.