Voting Complete - Motion Passed: Creation of a Gaming Loyalty Program forum
 

I'm uncertain if this has already been brought up, but I would love to see a forum for "Gaming Travel Destinations - NOT Las Vegas."

Over the past 10 years, gaming (I sort of hate that term, and really prefer "gambling" --- but, it makes the casino folks happy to use a "less-evil" term. ;);) ) has really picked up at a number of destinations throughout the world.

While, I do understand, that there would most certainly be overlap; such as posting in the New England forum when talking about Foxwoods or Atlantic City, it is imperative for gaming information to be consolidated in order to understand (and discuss) the best opportunities available to players (and travelers).

I have personally delved into comparisons of comp offers at Harrah's properties at different geographic locations. For those interested in maximizing their gambling dollar (and to potentially pick-up an otherwise free or reduced hotel stay in a location they never thought of), you need to be able to openly discuss "gaming travel" much in the same way "budget travel" folks like to discuss budget ideas around the globe.

Who knows, somebody who is interested in snowboarding in Tahoe, might not realize that their membership in Harrah's Total Rewards (and their play in Atlantic City, Tunica, Phoenix market, or Indiana) might provide eligibility for a comp at Harrah's Tahoe.

This would also be a great place to post details (and discuss) about junket (inclusive charter flight and hotel offers) to gaming destinations for those interested in visiting a new place, based on the fact that gambling is available.

One final thought, is the ability to have a forum to discuss the casino comp and theoretical requirements for the different major casino properties throughout the world.

Cheers!
--- Michael

edit to add : I suggest a thread title change (5 June) to reflect discussion, and a focus on Miles&Points.

As someone with a love for gambling (well, others may call it a problem - I call it a solution! ;)), I like this idea from a personal perspective.

However, I as a TalkBoard member, I'm not sure that there's necessarily a large demand for gambling related destinations within FlyerTalk & this sounds more like a gamers forum than a travelers forum idea.

Well, I would argue that if the FlyerTalk community is a subset of the larger population, then gambling travel destinations would be of a lot of interest. Though, FlyerTalk is a unique mix, so I could be wrong.

Concerning a "gamers forum" more than a "travelers forum" --- I would have to argue (and possibly disagree) that a gambling destination forum wouldn't bring out that much more "off-topic" response than any of the other special interest forums.

For example (and this is totally a random example) is a $100 haircut thread that much more "off-topic" in the Women Travelers Forum than discussing Comps and Theoretical for Baccarat in the Gambling Destination forum (in addition to travel and hotel deals)?

BTW, I've never spent more than $75 on a haircut. :p:p

And, yes, most certainly, gambling is a solution NOT a problem. ;)

I'll pay on this! :)
I enjoy reading about what some FTers get up to in the name of gambling trips. I very rarely move from observer to bankroll-burner but these posts are a good read, from an entertainment perspective.

Is this proposal restricted to US gaming? If so, could a thread exist (even an index thread to link news and trip reports) as a resource in a USA forum?
I'd be interested in seeing relevant threads linked together somehow, regardless of whether this idea becomes a motion that is voted on.

From a non-USA perspective, I would like to see similar indexes or collections of info for Macau and Australia ;) (even though in most cases the threads belong and would stay in the destination forum).

For the benefit of TB, what destinations would be included in this proposal?
Is it limited to N. America / Carribean?
If it is limited to this region, could the proposal be amended to "NA gaming destinations NOT Vegas"?

(PS I had an OK time at the Wrest Point, Hobart, last weekend. BJ was fun to watch, especially when a gambler pointed out that he was paid for a win twice. First time I've seen that. :D)

IMHO, it should be a "worldwide" gaming travel destination forum. I don't think there would be enough interest for multiple "gaming area" forums; and leaving off classic (French Riviera) and emerging with a bang (Macau) destinations would be a very big mistake.

ahhh.. a "casino error thread" --- I can see it now. ;) And, boy, would I have a few good posts to add. :D:D

This could definitely have legs, so long as the OP's intent was stuck to: in the dropdown menu, there's "Las Vegas" and then right below "All Gaming, Not Vegas". If the not-Vegas forum idea gets too ungainly, treat it like ahotel forum and establish master threads for properties.

I dunno, colour me unconvinced we need a forum for every demographic on the planet, including this one though I know that seems to be the current FT trend.

I like this idea as well.

It would need to be a worldwide gaming board since one may be visiting South Africa or Panama and get bored on a Tuesday night, that sort of this.

Often enough, threads in other "travel" areas such as LV and mid-atlantic morph into "general gaming" discussions since people compare Biloxi casino spots to AC and LV, comparing action, accomodations etc. Even generic type questions such as "How far is Atlantic City to PHL/BWI/EWR?" and "Where should I fly if I need to go..." type questions.

I like checking out foreign casinos (as an American) although my luck in them lately has been virtually nil :( Questions/reports from them would be very welcome and wanted as well!

But i'm all-in (pun intended since we are talking about gambling) for sub-forum since I think there's sufficient interest in the topic.

What difference does demand make? If the gambling community here likes the forum and it cultivates a community, what's wrong with that (see Religious Travelers precedent)?

Agree here.

I'm not going to even try to touch on what the basis for a new forum on FlyerTalk should be. But, to say "gaming" is just another "demographic" is a bit shallow; since by all accounts gambling as a [leisure] travel activity is probably the fastest growing segment of leisure travel in the world.

This article is a bit dated, and the impact [of gaming], IMHO, is even more pronounced today.

LINK

Now, if the argument, is that new forums should ONLY be about miles and points, you won't get an argument from me, but that would probably have to be a consistent objective of FlyerTalk.

Let's remember, that gaming involves one of the cornerstones of FlyerTalk, the Frequent Guest (Flyer) programs which are a vital part of the "gaming" culture. Harrah's Total Rewards, Trump One, Borgata Rewards, Venetian Club Grazie, MGM-Mirage Players Club, Station Casinos Boarding Pass, Argosy Preferred Club, Resorts Destination Club Card are some of the more popular programs.

I agree that the "gaming" industry is evil, and that lots of folks look at it with disdain; but let's remember, that there is a reason that almost every person in the continental US lives within a 3 hour drive of a casino property ;) and, it isn't because nobody is traveling to casinos for entertainment.

Nope, still unconvinced in a shallow kind of way.

OK, I'm confused. Do you want a US domestic gambling forum? Do you want an international gambling forum? From my initial read of your request, it seemed like you wanted an international one, but actually from some of what I've read, it seems like I might have misinterpreted, and you actually just want to discuss US gambling.

Sorry for the confusion. ;)

Absolutely, without a doubt, an international/worldwide forum (and only one forum).

I ONLY have direct experience with the expansion of gaming opportunities in the US, so that is where I draw from, with regard to some of my data-points to justify this new forum. I know for a fact, that a similar explosive situation is happening in Macau, and other areas around the world. I just don't have personal experience to provide the necessary back-up data (though, I could find and provide that data, if folks were interested).

I feel that FlyerTalk would ONLY be able to support one "Gambling/Travel" forum, and dividing it up into geographic segments would only dilute the content and community.

Thank You, Jenbel, for forcing a clarification.

So, to be clear, NO new forums except for airline and hotel forums?

Though, Harrah's and MGM-Mirage probably operate more hotel rooms (and have more members in the respective frequent customer programs) than at least one of the hotel forums already offered on FlyerTalk.

In all seriousness, tcook052 care to share more than a one sentence justification for why this forum idea wouldn't be a viable option for FlyerTalk?