If I were running an online casino or poker room and I saw hundreds of thousands of my U.S. players unable to deposit and withdraw, not to mention hundreds of thousands more potential customers wanting to play, here’s what I would do.
I would create my own branded Visa debit card and mail it for free to all of my active or recently active U.S. players containing a preloaded $10 as a welcome back bonus.
Players would receive an email announcing the arrival of their card, along with a confirmation number to activate the card online or by phone. The card would then be automatically tied in to their online casino account and contain a PIN number.
They would be welcome to play with this money, earning a certain amount of points before being able to cash out.
Similar to PayPal, a player’s online casino account would have instant access to the balance on the card. Players wouldn’t need to deposit or withdraw from the casino — money to the balance of the card would always be readily available. From the casino’s side, this would encourage players to play with as much as is available. From the player’s side, it would be a convenience.
Circumventing U.S. banks, players would be able to add funds to the card by mailing money orders, depositing cash at ATMs, or depositing cash at special kiosks.
Players could use this card as a debit card anywhere Visa is accepted, and for a 1 percent fee they could withdraw cash at any ATM. Or they could withdraw for free at the special kiosks.
Now let’s say that I also owned a land-based casino, whether a Harrah’s, an MGM Grand, or an Ameristar
I’ll say it again MGMPoker.com opening February 2008.
It will happen, the date is only debate.
Hey Grubby, I recently heard that the CT casinos are getting rid of the coin slot machines in favor of the ticket types. I was thinking, wouldn’t there by a market for the coin slot machines as a smaller section of the slot machine floor. Most casinos that I have been to have copious amounts of slots, and I bet it would be a bit of nostalgia and would potentially bring in customers to have an Ye Olde Casino Shoppe feel to a section of the casino floor. Do you think this would work and would be profitable?
It might, Jordan, but the profit the casino would make on the ticket slots would be much more, and profit always trumps nostalgia. Just look at poor Stardust, on the imploding block next month.
hi grubby,
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