Cell Phone Ban Lifted in Sport Books

[KenoMom]

I saw a note on the Las Vegas Journal's website, announcing a 1 year experiment to allow cell phones in the sports book areas in Nevada. I AM THRILLED!!!!! Several casinos happen to have their sports book areas in the same vicinity as the video keno machines and it was always frustrating not to have cell phone access while playing. Las Vegas Hilton, California and Four Queens are three that come to mind. Sounds like I've just increased the places where I can play (assuming the casinos theirselves decide to go along with the trial). Thank you Gaming Commission!

[Boston_Bill]

I'm amazed they are doing it but I think it would be better for business. If you're making bets for friends you can give them current odds. Like to see what this does during football season.

[ChicChas]

Oh, great. One more place where we can't get away from other people's endless chatter about nothing.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by ChicChas Oh, great. One more place where we can't get away from other people's endless chatter about nothing. I really agree with this. First of all, the sportsbooks are loud to begin with so people on the cell phones will have to talk louder than ever. It is also a distraction to horse players who are trying to handicap the races. The soulution would be to allow cell phone use but it should be resticted to the back of the book. Steve

[GREGRIO]

Yeah, theres nothing more irriatting and rude than to be next to someone...ANYWHERE...YAPPIN' on their damn cell. Haven't found a use for one yet, and hope I never do!

[Steve]

This is in this week's newsletter. The lifting of the ban on cell phones in Sportsbook is on a one-year trial basis. Steve

[KenoMom]

I think that for every complaint about cell phone use, there's another story about the plus side. Personally I abhor those that feel the need to have cell phone conversations in the bathroom stalls...I think it's the tackiest of all situations. Hearing loud conversations is also another bad side. But having access to the cell phone to get a phone call from the emergency room for permission to treat my son (and this actually happened on my last trip to Vegas), more then makes up for all the negative arguements. So I can see some of the argument for additional chatter that might happen in the sports area, but video keno machines and cell phone use at them, isn't really going to interfere with the action in the sports bar. Unfortunately, the casinos had put the two near each other and by virtue of their proximity, cell phone service had not been allowed.

[Steve]

What is comes down to is cosideration for others. It's almost the same as a considerate smoker. It takes just a little common courtesy in the use of a cell phone and all should be fine. Also isn't there an unwritten ban on cell phones being used at a gaming table? I have been asked to put my cell phone away on several occaisions while playing Pai Gow. In todays world, a cell phone is almost mandatory so it's something we have to deal with. The easiest thing to do is to go by the showroom or movie theater guidlines and just put your cell phone on vibrate. If you get a call just try to find an area to speak where you won't disturb others. Steve

[ChicChas]

Steve, of course what you say is the way it's supposed to be. The reality something completely different. Yes, I have a cell phone for emergencies and such and glad for it as KenoMom pointed out. But we all know that what they're really going to be used for is some airhead next to you telling the friend down at Margaritaville how the guy just barfed in the potted palm at Mandalay Bay 15 minutes ago.

[MHIROTSU]

Originally Posted by ChicChas But we all know that what they're really going to be used for is some airhead next to you telling the friend down at Margaritaville how the guy just barfed in the potted palm at Mandalay Bay 15 minutes ago. I think this problem is due to the fact that this group of people were raised with a cell phone in their hand. Thus, it is their form of communication. A person once wrote that he saw 3 high school kids walking down the street. They were either talking on their cell phone or listening to their iPod. In either case, they weren't communicating with each other. The conclusion was that kids aren't communicating with each other, face-to-face. I think the lifting of the ban on cell phones in the sports book will increase the amount of money bet for the small money. Thus, once this starts, the casinos will want it in place forever. The people betting the big money will always get their bets down. You can prevent phone calls within a mile radius of a sports book and the big money will always get their bets in. The casinos will have "cell phone free" zones, the same as "no smoking zones." By the way, I understand a person's need to talk to people while in the bathroom. I have to do it a lot because I'm waiting for an important call and the person calls while I'm in the bathroom. I try to finish real quick and get out, but there's still some lag time. Mike