Get more chips without more cash
It is now easier for customers at the D Las Vegas to keep gambling if they go bust. The gambling establishment has installed PlayOn devices by Automated Cashless Systems (ACS) at its table games, making it the first downtown Las Vegas casino to do so.
swipe a debit card through the machine to reload
PlayOn is a small device that looks like a card reader one might find at a store checkout counter. Customers who run out of chips and wish to keep playing can swipe a debit card through the machine to reload. Credit cards are not accepted, and debit card transaction and daily limits still apply.
The PlayOn devices do not dispense cash. The dealer receives a voucher when the transaction is completed and gives the player chips in exchange.
According to VitalVegas.com, ACS charges a $4 fee per transaction plus 2.5% of the withdrawal amount. ATM fees at the D Las Vegas are $6 (they are higher at the big-name resort casinos), so the PlayOn charges are reasonable even for lower withdrawal amounts.
Security, casino tools baked in
According to the ACS website, PlayOn does not connect to the casino management system, but is a completely separate product. All security is built in. It also comes with its own financial management system, accessible via a web browser, so the casino can access accounting and security information.
While loyalty cards are not required, the machines can be set up to track players who use them frequently in order to facilitate casino marketing.
ACS boasts that PlayOn is actually faster than a normal cash-to-chip conversion because regulations can cause delays if someone wants to plunk down a large amount of cash.
actually faster than a normal cash-to-chip conversion
The PlayOn devices, while not tethered, are electronically linked to their specific table. If someone walks off with one, it will not be able to communicate properly after just a few yards and will be useless. It also erases its programming if someone tries to tamper with it.
Dangerous temptation or helpful convenience?
Reactions from gamblers have been mixed, as they were late last year when ACS debuted PlayOn at the Palms Casino Resort.
The most common complaint is that the technology is predatory. PlayOn, some say, is a way to keep gamblers who have already lost their money and should stop playing at the table. Even someone who goes to the ATM has a few minutes to think about whether or not they should return to the gaming tables.
People also don’t like the fees. The 2.5% charge adds up quickly if someone wants to get a few hundred dollars in chips. As mentioned, it’s fine for smaller amounts, as it is comparable to the ATM fees.
Those who are in favor of, or at least neutral about, PlayOn see it as an optional convenience. Adults can make their own decisions, and they don’t have to interrupt their entertainment with a trip to the ATM.
Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, up Fremont Street from the D and owned by the same company, is expected to roll out PlayOn in the next few days.