Take a Trip: Casino's Great for a Bad Economy?

Even though the economy is almost in shambles, and falling more and more in trouble as the days prolong the feeling of an inevitable depression. I found some clarity in a slight vacation last weekend. The casinos are only thirty minutes from my new house. Even though it was a Monday night, the urge to get out and have a good time had set in after a long weekend of moving. It ended up being a reminder of just how nice a vacation to a casino can be, even in rough times.

Gambling isn't for everyone, but there are ways to look at the trip as more than just throwing your money away at a game that's made to benefit the company running it. The fact is vacations in any sense cost money. They aren't cheap, even a camping trip ends up running up on the bill. There are ways to have fairly inexpensive fun within a casino. Casinos want to keep their customers happy at all costs. They give free drinks while you're playing, all you have to do is tip your waitress $1 per drink. Anyone who goes to any bar knows that a five drink tab is going to run $50, and who only buys five drinks. You take $40 to a casino table game and if you pick the right one you can make it last for at least 30 to 40 mins without winning a single bet. Even waiting for a seat at a table you get free drinks. At a nicer casino, you will typically get a free comped meal for two if you sit at any table for 30 mins. At dinner, that's a $30 value. You've drank at least two drinks and got two free meals for $40. I'd say you didn't really do too much gambling for your money at that point. Sitting at a low limit slot machine, you can play for two hours easily and get a free comp meal for two.

When you go on any vacation, you will spend anywhere from $50 - $150 per night in a hotel. At a casino during the week, shopping around prices you will find a room for $40 per night. And the casinos do not let up any on their costs for their hotels. They provide luxury at any level. Customer satisfaction is number one, especially in a time of a bad economy. Once you've stayed a couple times, the casinos will begin offering you free stays, very cheap flights with stay included packages, and free money to play with when you come back. There is a clear value factor to compare a vacation to a casino as to say a vacation at a beach. They are completely different atmospheres, but the casino trip if managed right could save anywhere from $150 to $500 dollars, right around 35% of your typical vacation spending. That's when you've lost everytime you've played. The casino option actually does leave an option for you to come home victorious.

I ended up spending about $80 and had the time of my life. The Long Island's were perfect, not too strong and not too weak. The place was packed, even on Monday. They even had a great bar to sit and watch the game. If you are someone who enjoys the nightlife and interacting in a social atmosphere, casino will suit you as comfortable and fun. If you are someone who enjoys the luxury of life and service at it's best, then you will love a vacation to a casino. Make sure it is a popular one, because the nicer the place the better the deals they will be able to give you in the long run.