Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Las Vegas in many instances, is partially culpable for their own downturn. I have lived there since the early 90's and many casinos were arrogant with visitors, that they had profiled as undesirables. I was detained in the Venetian for an hour, for nothing. After they realized that I was indeed a gambler with a Venetian card, they returned my money to me and claimed that the video evidence was blocked, and they were unable to see anything illegal. BS. They saw the video and I had done nothing wrong. No apology, no remorse.

I am in my fifties, age wise. I have been treated poorly at many casinos to include The Monte Carlo (asked to show my ID in front of a crowd), Treasure Island (falsely accused of panhandling gamblers for money), The Mirage (followed and questioned by security), MGM (told by casino host to leave the high roller slot area, even though that is where I like to play), Paris (asked to show ID, even though I was a registered guest at the hotel), Excalibur (waitress told me to play or she would not serve me, even though I had just dumped $100 into a high roller slot), Bellagio (asked to show ID), Caesar's Palace (my $100 bill jammed in the slot machine and the attendant did not believe that I had put my money in the slot machine, and that I was trying to get money put in by someone else. after 30 minutes of reviewing the video, I was given my $100 bill, no apology, no remorse), Plaza (told by sports book writer not to clap for my team that I bet on, as they scored a touchdown. turns out he had a bet on the other side and threatened to throw me out, if I cheered anymore), Fremont (accused of topping a bet on a card table. after being detained for 30 minutes of video review, I was given my winnings, no apology, no remorse), and many other slights too numerous to mention. This is not good for business. I am not a poor man. I work in the motion picture industry and make a good living. I do not look underage. I fit a profile that they have, and that is un-American. My money is good. I am born in the US, and my family's ancestors have been here for a long time. I graduated cum laude from a major national university on the West Coast of the USA. So, I do not feel the casino's pain. They brought it on themselves.

Oddly enough, I never had a problem at The Sahara. Other casinos treated me very well and were always professional. The good casino list includes the aforementioned Sahara, Mandalay Bay (always nice, always open minded), Luxor (paid attention to a problem and took care of it, professional), New York New York (friendly staff), Imperial Palace (tolerant, mostly professional staff), Palms (professional friendly staff, fun place), Rampart Casino (friendly staff). The Station casinos are usually people friendly, as are the Coast Casinos.

Las Vegas had better remember that without the tourist and gamblers, their town is nothing more than an overgrown desert town. Many of the casino workers despise the tourists and gamblers, even though they are their lifeblood. How stupid is that? Better change your attitude from the ground floor up. The Native casinos are closer, more convenient, and nicer to folks in general. I now live in Los Angeles and look forward to coming to Las Vegas every chance I get. I go to the friendly casinos and have a good time. The unfriendly casinos can go down, as far as I'm concerned. They have a good thing. They should appreciate it and treat all guests as welcome. If they don't change, more hotels will close. It is inevitable. The Native casinos are growing and are here to stay. Better get off your high horses and get real. Remember that Stardust is still waiting to get rebuilt. Your jobs are in jeopardy folks. Attitude of gratitude is what is called for. Good Luck.

Del Zamora

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