Although he admitted to being “a bit silly,” Sam Allen fits into what bingo advocates say is a rejuvenating profile. It caught the attention of the new management at Riviera Hotel and Casino.
At 29, he was 40 years tougher than the average player at the Riviera’s first bingo game on Friday morning. If not having gray hair was enough to throw him out, he still stood out by wearing baggy shorts and a t-shirt with a designer tattoo on one leg. Then there was the trendy grey checkered fedora. 파워볼실시간
He and his wife Jessica started playing bingo in their hometown of Denver, where they often play a few games for dates. This time, they tried to hang out while their rooms were being prepared. “It’s a good time, it’s not too expensive, and there’s a good chance of winning,” he said.
Local retirees overwhelmed the crowd of around 200 when the first number was called at 11 a.m., but hopes of grabbing customers like Allen helped persuade Riviera to open its first bingo room on Streep since New Frontier closed four years ago.
Perhaps Riviera CEO Andy Choy sees the 300-seat bingo room as a way to bring a unique image to the property after years of financial hardship, including a bankruptcy filing that closed with new ownership on April 1.
“Strip went to an integrated resort model,” Choi said, referring to the strategy of making rooms, bars, spas, shows, swimming pools, and shopping a separate revenue center under one roof. “People forgot that this town was built on top of a game. Game is a dirty word. So we’re going to be the best ruinous casino there.”
We also want to target the middle-income class implemented with bingo.
“A big part of our strategy is to satisfy players who might not want to spend $400 on a bottle of vodka or wait in line for three hours,” he said.
Industry veteran Bobby Taylor, the bingo room manager, said people get younger and younger in the evening.
For many people, bingo is a social experience. Mary Gilbert, 66, pointed out or waved at nearly a dozen people she knew from other bingo rockets. She also brought along a visiting friend, Ed Kettle, 85, from Durango, Colorado.
“It’s great to see all these people,” she said while wearing a custom-made “I love bingo, but bingo doesn’t love me.”
Several others, such as Clyde Dinkins, 76, said they came out of loyalty to Taylor. Dinkins said he followed Taylor to five casinos, most recently working at Plaza for 10 years.
“In Bingo, a manager can form a very strong following,” said Kevin Savage, 41, who started the habit when he moved to Las Vegas 16 years ago.
For others, bingo has become a part of life’s rhythm. Jeanette and Art Gearhart chose to play the Riviera game to kick off their 26th wedding anniversary celebration. As part of the ceremony, she arranged for her a lucky gentleman, including a small Buddha, a four-leaf clover, a family photo, and an all-American bingo troll doll.
“It really works,” said Mr. Art, who retired from the U.S. Navy.
John and Barbara McClurg took more than 200 audience samples from bingo games across the country.
“We don’t like computers,” she said. “And I have an ex.”
The Riviera Hotel’s ink dovers were all for display. The hotel’s computer handsets and portable devices are recognized for helping attract young people to games. Even older people like the new technology because it is easier to track their cards.
For Savage, a bartender who works cemetery shifts in the Inn Zone, bingo is just a quiet way to spend time off, even if he’s decades younger than many in the room.
“No one’s ears are screaming or screaming,” he said. “And in our economy, it’s cheaper to play than other casino games, and I think it gives you a better chance to win.”