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Ofcourse I can't imagine this ever happening, but just for conversation sake.
2 Coaches added to an Amtrak train filled with slot machines and the bj table, keno board, crap table, etc...
Would it work?
A way Amtrak can become profitable over night.
MultiQuote
#2
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Posted 04 May 2007 - 09:57 PM
Well you'd run into a lot of issues with state and local laws. The alcohol rules on Sundays were hard enough to overcome throughout the years, much less tangoing with gambling rules. The other issue you run into is security for that amount of cash on a train. Right now a train carries maybe a couple of thousand dollars in cash from Diner and Lounge sales. It'd take a pretty significant security upgrade to even try slots.
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In Memory of Steven Lorenz 1987-2006
Rail Miles Travelled: 66,107
Amtrak Florida
The Chief on Youtube New Video 03/27
#4 Guest_Guest_*
Posted 04 May 2007 - 11:33 PM
Guest, on Fri, May 4, 2007, 07:15 PM, said:
The key is to use all credit cards, with no cash.
Of course, this is against the rules of every gaming jurisdiction and regulators in the United States. Even if this weren't the case, every gaming jurisdiction (either state regulations or tribal regulations) that the train passes through would have to allow it. Would be quite a hassle to close up the 'casino car' every time you passed through an area that didn't allow gambling, like the state of Utah.
#6 Guest_Guest_*
Posted 05 May 2007 - 08:25 AM
Guest_gp35_*, on Fri, May 4, 2007, 06:49 PM, said:
Ofcourse I can't imagine this ever happening, but just for conversation sake.
2 Coaches added to an Amtrak train filled with slot machines and the bj table, keno board, crap table, etc...
Would it work?
2 Coaches added to an Amtrak train filled with slot machines and the bj table, keno board, crap table, etc...
Would it work?
This has been examined at Amtrak, based on several casinos wanting to conduct gambling lessons on the train, on the way to the casino locations. It is logistically almost impossible to control and the various state and local laws would be an absolute nightmare to deal with.
#8
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Posted 05 May 2007 - 11:22 AM
Guest_GP35_*, on Sat, May 5, 2007, 10:09 AM, said:
Like the lotto, the state can clear it through the entire state.
It's not quite that easy. Gambling regulations vary from state to state, and in tribal lands, vary within each of these. Each of the tribes agree to a compact with the state, and have to follow the rules of this compact. Of course, these can vary from tribe to tribe, just like the regulations vary state by state. For example, in Iowa, gambling is only allowed on Native American lands, or on a barge-like vessel on a lake or river, or in a horse or greyhound track facility; and in the latter two, it is only allowed if a referendum in the county where it is located has been voted on and passed. In Mississippi, it is only allowed on barges. In Missouri, again, it is only allowed on riverboats, and there is a loss limit imposed there for players. North Dakota and Minnesota only allow gambling on tribal lands, Wisconsin only allows it on tribal lands, no gambling at all in the state of Utah, in California it is only allowed on tribal lands. I could continue, but, as you can see, it is extremely complex. Then there is also the question about which types of gambling are allowed per state. Some jurisdications limit table games and games of chance. There are different classes of slot machines, class 1, 2, and 3, and depending on what state you are in will determine what class of slot machines are allowed to be used. If a train stayed solely within the jurisdiction of one gaming regulatory agency, then they could conceivably legally allow this. But, probably not feasible. I work in the gaming industry, so, knowing what is allowed and what is not allowed per state is important for us to know, and obviously it is required for us to follow each and every rule for each and every jurisdiction we do business with. Amtrak, or any other gambling entity, would obviously have to follow the same rules.
Michele
#9
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Posted 05 May 2007 - 01:40 PM
I believe there's a way around all these gambling laws. At least, I've seen it practiced here in Northern Illinois. Instead of money being won, or chips that can be cashed in for money, the winner gets chips that can be redeemed for prizes.
The idea is that the winner doesn't win money. The winner wins a chip or token that can be redeemed for say, a diamond ring, an Ipod, a pair of sunglasses.
Why can't that work?
The idea is that the winner doesn't win money. The winner wins a chip or token that can be redeemed for say, a diamond ring, an Ipod, a pair of sunglasses.
Why can't that work?
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#11 Guest_Guest_*
Posted 05 May 2007 - 02:43 PM
Everydaymatters, on Sat, May 5, 2007, 10:40 AM, said:
I believe there's a way around all these gambling laws. At least, I've seen it practiced here in Northern Illinois. Instead of money being won, or chips that can be cashed in for money, the winner gets chips that can be redeemed for prizes.
The idea is that the winner doesn't win money. The winner wins a chip or token that can be redeemed for say, a diamond ring, an Ipod, a pair of sunglasses.
Why can't that work?
The idea is that the winner doesn't win money. The winner wins a chip or token that can be redeemed for say, a diamond ring, an Ipod, a pair of sunglasses.
Why can't that work?
Let's face it. Amtrak needs to get the whole on-board experience fixed before they even think about something like this. If you want another reason, go to one of the smaller casinos and take the time to talk with one of their security people and ask them what kind of problems they have. They will convince you that this is the last thing Amtrak needs.
#12
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Posted 05 May 2007 - 03:56 PM
Quote
I believe there's a way around all these gambling laws. At least, I've seen it practiced here in Northern Illinois. Instead of money being won, or chips that can be cashed in for money, the winner gets chips that can be redeemed for prizes.
The idea is that the winner doesn't win money. The winner wins a chip or token that can be redeemed for say, a diamond ring, an Ipod, a pair of sunglasses.
Why can't that work?
The idea is that the winner doesn't win money. The winner wins a chip or token that can be redeemed for say, a diamond ring, an Ipod, a pair of sunglasses.
Why can't that work?
#13 Guest_Guest_gp35_*_*
Posted 05 May 2007 - 05:00 PM
Ofcourse there are ways around. The federal government can say Amtrak will be given free onboard gambling in any state at anytime. End of story.
The question is would congress pass such a bill. Depends on how serious members are about making Amtrak profitable.
BTW, Katrina and Rita made a good example of those stupid barge only gambling. Mississippi learned thec lesson, Louisiana still insist on using barges.
The question is would congress pass such a bill. Depends on how serious members are about making Amtrak profitable.
BTW, Katrina and Rita made a good example of those stupid barge only gambling. Mississippi learned thec lesson, Louisiana still insist on using barges.
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Posted 05 May 2007 - 05:14 PM
Quote
Depends on how serious members are about making Amtrak profitable.
Or how serious members are about committing political suicide.
I would expect this sometime shortly after a serious gun control bill is delivered to the president by a squadron of flying pigs.
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Posted 05 May 2007 - 06:47 PM
stlouielady, on Sat, May 5, 2007, 12:22 PM, said:
Amtrak, or any other gambling entity, would obviously have to follow the same rules.
Actually, as an organ of interstate commerce, Amtrak could thumb its nose at all the local laws. All it would need is Congress to permit/sanction gaming on the rails.
Still I'm not sure it would work. It would move Amtrak away from transportation and that much closer to "land cruise"
Rick
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#16
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Posted 05 May 2007 - 09:13 PM
And if it moves towards being a land cruise, it would play very well into the hands of Congressmen like Mica who want to cut off the funding for Amtrak since they view as already being a land cruise in its current state.
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ZBT - ZA Colony
In Memory of Steven Lorenz 1987-2006
Rail Miles Travelled: 66,107
Amtrak Florida
The Chief on Youtube New Video 03/27
ZBT - ZA Colony
In Memory of Steven Lorenz 1987-2006
Rail Miles Travelled: 66,107
Amtrak Florida
The Chief on Youtube New Video 03/27
#20 Guest_Guest_gp35_*_*
Posted 07 May 2007 - 08:24 AM
Guest, on Sun, May 6, 2007, 06:36 PM, said:
I think they should add a car with arcade games for the younger riders!
I have seen them on other trains and they made thousands of dollars per trip!!!!!
I have seen them on other trains and they made thousands of dollars per trip!!!!!
Agreed, an Idea that should have been done in the 80's and would still work today.