Amid the dazzling lights and high-stake action of casinos, a power outage is a nightmare scenario. When the electricity fails, the most immediate concern for patrons is: what happens to their credits and progressive jackpots? This article delves into how casinos handle electrical failures, and the implications for the gaming industry.
The Gamblers' Predicament
Imagine sitting at a slot machine, your credits accumulating, the promise of a significant payout tantalizingly close. Suddenly, the lights go out, and the machine goes dark. What happens to your credits? Are they safe? Are your potential winnings secured?
Power outages in casinos pose a particular concern for machine players. Table game aficionados have the luxury of physically holding their chips, enabling them to simply collect their possessions and leave when the lights go dark. However, slot machine players are left in a lurch, anxiously waiting for the power to return.
The Casino's Response
In most instances of electrical failure in casinos, auxiliary power is triggered, providing slot players time to cash out their machine credits. This offers a window of opportunity for players to settle their chips at the cage. For large amounts of chips, it's recommended to cash them in immediately. Cashiers need to verify the origin of the chips, and a time lag could complicate that process. Furthermore, casinos are not obliged to accept chips that may be contentious.
The Worst-Case Scenario
While casinos are generally well-equipped to handle power outages, there can be instances where even the backup systems fail. In these rare scenarios, slot players are advised to remain by their machines. A casino attendant or guest services employee will arrive to ascertain the number of credits due and issue a voucher that verifies the winnings.
For example, a few years ago at Paris Las Vegas, construction workers accidentally cut through all power cables, leaving the property in the dark. Slot players were advised to wait by their machines for an attendant to arrive and establish how many credits they were due.
The machines have a fail-safe that records the state of play at the time it was interrupted, which can be double-checked once power is restored. This means, in theory, once the slots power up again, play should not resume until the player returns to the machine.
Protecting Player's Interests
According to Karl Bennison, chief of the enforcement division at Nevada's Gaming Control Board, "When there's a power loss, the gaming devices are designed to recover their state of play and the player's credits."
In the event of a power outage, the casino can extract information from the device and send the player their winnings. To prevent false claims, surveillance footage is checked to verify that the players were indeed using the machine they claim to have been using.
The Financial Implications
Power outages can be financially challenging for casinos. For instance, a six-hour power loss at Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, WI resulted in an estimated loss of approximately $273,972.60 in gambling revenue. This figure does not account for further losses that may occur, including:
- Wages for team members during the evacuation.
- Loss of returning customers who might be hesitant to play electronic games or might not return at all.
- Associated costs with the evacuation process during the outage.
The Importance of Backup Power
Backup power systems are crucial for preventing such losses. In the case of Potawatomi Casino, the backup generator failed to kick in as expected during a scheduled maintenance exercise, causing the power failure. This incident underscores the need for robust and reliable backup power systems in casinos. Regular maintenance and testing can ensure the generator works on demand.
Handling Guest Evacuations
In situations where power cannot be promptly restored, casinos may need to evacuate guests. This happened at Rio Las Vegas when a fire alarm system's battery power ran low, and the backup generator failed to activate. In this instance, about 3,000 guests and employees were evacuated.
When power is not restored promptly, guests may need to be relocated to other properties. For instance, guests affected by the Paris Las Vegas power outage were directed to Bally's Las Vegas Hotel, where Caesars officials helped them find rooms at Caesars and competitor properties.
Ensuring Guest Safety
In the event of power outages, casinos prioritize guest safety. For example, during the Paris Las Vegas outage, the entire casino was evacuated once the fire alarm system's battery power ran low. After evacuation, the casino remained closed until all power was restored and fire officials declared it safe.
In a situation like a fire or active shooter, grabbing a slot voucher and gaming chips wouldn't be the primary concern. In such instances, if a customer was unable to retrieve their slot tickets, the casinos can still find a way to get them their money.
The Role of Surveillance
Casino surveillance plays a crucial role in such scenarios. Surveillance footage helps confirm a player's claim about their winnings. Even in a power outage, surveillance cameras can verify if a player was at a specific machine when the power went out.
Conclusion
Power outages can pose significant challenges for casinos and their patrons. However, with robust backup power systems, comprehensive evacuation procedures, and efficient surveillance systems, casinos can ensure the security of player's credits and winnings, even in the dark. In the end, while a power outage may be a temporary inconvenience, players can rest assured that their potential jackpots are well-protected.