Introduction to Casino Safety
Ultimately, each of us is responsible for our own safety, wherever we may be. To me, this means I expect casinos to have operational security in place. And also, from my perspective as a slots enthusiast, that I know how casino safety functions. I decide if casino safety is sufficient and, if not, find another casino having satisfactory casino safety.
This article is my attempt to logically walk though general patron movements and their most common actions when visiting a casino. I’ll also assess and discuss any potential points of vulnerability in casino safety. It is not intended to instill a sense of fear.
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It is my hope that this article will assist players to develop situational awareness within the casino environment. Naturally, I’ll be emphasizing gambling via slot machines whether they are inside or outside of high limit slot rooms.
Here are my casino safety topics discussed below:
- Slots players carry cash
- Casino security and the services they provide
- Crime impacts a casino’s reputation
- Bringing a friend to watch your back
Are you ready, comfortable even, to request a pair of casino security guards escort you to their car? Are you ready to have a dozen strangers standing around them while winning one taxable jackpot after another?
All these topics and more need to be discussed so players are fully aware of their own safety. Personally, I enjoy my time at a casino better when I know and believe I am safe.
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Slots Players Carry Cash
Why develop this situational awareness for the casino environment? The answer is simple: Slots players carry cash. Unfortunately, even the possibility of carrying cash can be attractive to people having a criminal intent. Again, this is not intended to instill fear, but to point out a hard truth.
Gambling is a cash business. At some point when gambling via slot machines at a casino, players are carrying around some cash, i.e., their bankroll. With this cash in their pocket, they may have parked in a nearby parking structure, then used its elevator to reach the casino entrance.
Or, maybe they didn’t arrive at the casino with cash but rather withdrew it within the casino from an ATM. However a player actually arrives at the casino floor with their bankroll, there
However, casinos work incredibly hard to provide as safe an environment as they possibly can everywhere a patron might enjoy gambling in their establishment. But, how?
Consider what happens when winning a taxable jackpot. Players can ask to receive a check or some combination of check and cash. In my experience, it just doesn’t happen.
In all my time in casinos winning and seeing others win jackpots, only once have a seen anyone request a check instead of cash. And, that person was me. Even so, I did so only after winning a car. Even then, it was only for half of the $40,000 cash prize.
Poker players have a good solution: Bring a bag for your personal items, including cash. Yes, it’ll need to be examined by security upon entering the casino. And, yes, you’ll have to keep an eye on it at all times. But, when everyone has one, it’s inconspicuous.
Casino Security Services
What casino safety services are in place, exactly? Where should a player park, say, in the parking structure or by using the valet service? Or, perhaps top-tier players should park in the priority parking spots often provided to them?
What about when leaving the casino? What if you’ve won a jackpot, but didn’t happen to park via the valet service or in priority parking. How exactly do you get from the site of a jackpot to my car in the parking lot or structure?
How much cash is it going to take before a player starts to feel a little nervous? For me, all of my initial taxable jackpots made me a nervous, even when the largest was “only” $5,000. But, I told myself it’d simply been a long time since I’d seen that much cash.
If you’ve decided to go home, and you’re uncomfortable about how much cash you’re carrying, press the service button for a slot attendant. Once they arrive, just tell them you need security to walk you to your car.
Is Ignition Casino Safe
Let’s say that you’re relatively alone in an area of the casino floor. And, suddenly, you need help. In practice, players only have three real options: press the service button on the slot machine they’re sitting at, get the heck out of the area, or yell.
A worst-case scenario, the absolute last thing to do, is to get into a physical altercation. Yelling for help is all that is needed in a casino environment, as it both acts as a deterrent to the attacker while simultaneously bringing assistance.
Finally, remember that security cameras have multiple views of every area of the casino. While it may take a moment for security to get to you, it’s all recorded.
Casino Safety is Linked to Casino Reputation
There is no question that individual and family safety is important to you. It’s also important to casinos, as an incident wherein a crime is perpetrated upon a casino patron has equally serious consequences for the casino.
Possible damage to a casino business include a loss of reputation and income. This can occur both with the patron or patrons involved in an incident. Damage can also occur with patrons as a whole, if or when the incident becomes public knowledge.
Are Casinos Safe To Visit
Incidents become public knowledge in several ways, including news reporting, word of mouth, and possibly even through gaming regulatory requirements.
Ohio’s Casino Control Commission is the legal authority that regulates gaming in the great state of Ohio. Every state’s gaming commission is different. And, Ohio reports on any crimes committed at casinos within that state.
Ohio’s Gaming Crimes & Statistics are updated quarterly under their Enforcement tab on their website. If your state provides similar crime statistics, wouldn’t this information impact which casinos you like?
To help slots enthusiasts in all U.S. States, U.S. Territories, and Federal Districts, I’ve already begun a year-long blog series entitled “Gambling Questions Answered: State-By-State”. Each week, I post a researched article on the next state. I’ve working through them alphabetically. Sorry, Wyoming….
Bringing a Friend for Casino Safety
At slots, players focus on a row of machines while having limited peripheral vision. They can see directly forward, where their attention is fully focused. It is quite possible to be completely unaware even if someone sits down within a couple of chairs on either side.
The best practice on being safe at a casino is simply to take someone along who can stay alert and watchful of the surroundings for a player while they face the slot machine and bet. Plus, if the player’s friends want to play, the first player can watch their back in return.
Bringing a companion mitigates many potential safety concerns found within the casino environment. And, quite possibly, it may make the whole experience more pleasurable.
A companion can act as a guard whose mere presence prevents the attempt of criminal activity. Playing slot machines isn’t like table games, where a casino employee is facing the player and the player is likely a part of a group of gamblers.
If you are alone in a casino, then you’ll need to trust and listen to your instincts. They are far more honed than most people understand. Our ancestors have left us with a legacy of amazing survival instincts whether we are consciously aware of them or not.
So, when relatively alone and someone walks up behind, take a careful look at them. How do they make you feel? What does your gut say? Whatever the feeling, trust it.
Summary of Casino Safety
Casinos are very safe places. Players probably don’t need to worry about their safety at most of them. However, like your honor, it’s intrinsically more important to you than anyone else.
The best practice on being safe at a casino is simply to take someone along who can stay alert and watchful of the surroundings for a player while they face the slot machine and bet. Plus, if the player’s friends want to play, the first player can watch their back in return.
Be careful about being extravagant at a casino. Casinos reserve the right to kick out anyone. It isn’t necessary, or sometimes even possible, to keep an extraordinarily low profile when amazing events occur.
But, $100 tips to the beverage servers on a whim is easily observable by others. Not to mention, overreacting after winning jackpots with exuberant screams heard throughout the casino is less than discreet.
Casino Safe
In summary, casino safety is your responsibility. Be aware that
- Bags can be an inconspicuous and safe way to carry cash and personal items.
- Casino security is available to walk you to your car upon request.
- Camera surveillance is always on (outside of restrooms). Everywhere. From multiple angles.
- Casino’s fight crime like their reputation depends on it. Because it does.
- If at all possible, bring a friend. If alone, trust your instincts.
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By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
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