Tag: #MassachusettsCasinos

Social Media and New England Casinos – By the Numbers

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One month ago, NETimeGambling updated our New England Casinos By the Numbers and added casino #9 – Encore Boston Harbor. It’s fun to compare casinos space, hotels, dining options and more. Recently, our Rhode Island correspondent, Miguel, asked the question, “how do these nine casinos compare with social media “likes?”  This interesting approach made us question how popular these properties are on social media, mainly Facebook. So, let’s look at Social Media and New England Casinos – By the numbers.

RELATED POST – New England Casinos by the Numbers – A Numeric Assessment of Each Property

Social Media and Casinos

Social Media and Casinos

Facebook

Before Facebook changes their “likes” feature, let’s look at how the New England’s gambling shacks compare.  In case you have been living under a rock, or just arrived from a different planet, here is what a Facebook “Like” is. According to Gina Porier of Smallbusiness.Chron.com, “The “Like” feature on Facebook is simple in nature. Users click “Like” to communicate what they think about anything. From a marketing perspective, it may be the most powerful tool Facebook has to offer. If you own a business and run a Facebook page, Facebook users can “Like” your page or any content you post on it, telling their friends that they like what you have to offer.”

Twitter

At its simplest, the Twitter Like button is a way of giving someone a virtual pat on the back, to say “good work guys, I like what you’re saying”. Likes are represented by a small heart and are used to show appreciation for a Tweet. You can view the Tweets you’ve liked from your profile page by clicking or tapping into the Likes tab. Maybe after we reveal the results, a few of New England’s casinos, (not mentioning any names – but it rhymes with “code-by-land”) should probably reed a related post –Eight reasons to use Twitter’s Like feature by Emma Pauw of We Talk Social.

INSTAGRAM

A picture is worth a thousand words. In a nutshell, Instagram is a photo sharing app which allows users to assign filters to photos and share them with followers.  Power Likes involve a large network of accounts that engage with each others content to give it a better chance of going viral.

The Stats

Now, we understand this is not a perfect comparison.  Those casinos in business longer have a better probability for more likes.  But when investigating Social Media and New England Casinos, some interesting results are found if you look carefully. So, how do our casinos measure up. Miguel found the following:

CASINO                                         FACEBOOK         TWITTER          INSTAGRAM             OPENED

Mohegan Sun (CT) – ————   652K ————-207.8K ———–  76K .                   1995

Foxwoods (CT) ——————-  423K ————  209.8K ———– 65.7K .                1992

Twin River (RI) ———————-  80K ————  5.5K ————–  4.4K .                  2007

Tiverton (RI) ————————  16K ————    887 —————  861 .                  2019

Encore Boston Harbor (MA) —-  44K ————-  8.5K ————– 37.3K .               2019

MGM Springfield (MA) ————  79K ————-  11.2K ———–  19.8K .                2018

Plainridge (MA) ——————–  57K ————–  1.7K ————– 1.5K .                 2015

Hollywood Bangor (ME) ——–   31K ————–  750 —————  919 .                  2005

Oxford (ME) ————————-  23K ————–  966 —————  305 .                  2012

CONCLUSIONS

  1. The Maine casinos need lagging. Hollywood has some ” ‘splainin to do!”  The third oldest and smallest casino still lags in social marketing.  Oxford, while a little better, still not a lot to call home about.
  2. MGM Springfield is doing well in its first year.  But EncoreBH, with only a few months, is already challenging the industry giant MGM.
  3. Already, EncoreBH is third on Instagram.  It’s approaching the tribes in Connecticut on Instagram.  It certainly helps to have a new, beautiful property for gorgeous picture taking. It will take time to reach FW & MS in the other two categories, but it’s already rivaling MGM’s numbers.
  4. What is Twin River doing?  MGM has at the present time has reached or surpassed TW’s numbers. For a casino that is larger and older by 11 years, either MGM is doing something right, or . Twin River needs to re-assess it marketing.  BTW, NETG votes both Ocean State casino websites as the worst in New England.
  5. Tiverton is small and new,  and yet is closing in on Oxford numbers with a difference of 7 years.  Hmm…………

So, there is a different take on casino comparison. it is just another tool for New England’s gamblers to use and for the casinos to use for their future to social media.

Special Thanks to Miguel for the brains behind this one.  You can follow him on Twitter @NECasinoMiguel

A Labor Day Request: Treat Casino Employees With Respect

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labor-dayA Labor Day Request: Treat Casino Employees With Respect.  Like any workplace, casino workers can work under extreme circumstances . There are those that work under abusive conditions that include harassment, racism, sexual harassment, hostile work environments and more. Between interactions with management and patrons, many days of working at a casino can be torturous at times, no matter how nice and hospitable they are. Which is why,  NETG today offers A Labor Day Request: Treat Casino Employees With Respectth (85)

Sure, every work place has its problems, but most don’t have to put up with drunk, entitled loud-mouths who expect more than they are willing to wager. And through it all, so many give great service back with a smile.

Tip your servers

Tip your servers. return their smile.

Casino personnel

Dealers are people, too.

Today, let’s take a moment to treat all of New England’s Casino employees with a little more kindness, a little more consideration, and a lot more respect.  Then maybe we can all start a trend, whether in the casino, or our own workplace.

Casino Employees list

Slot Attendants

Slot Attendants

To many people casinos are places strictly for gambling but they offer several jobs that are not directly related to the business. While we interact with casino employees, casinos contain many amenities and extras. Restaurants, bars, retail shops, hotels, banks and spas include a wide range of positions available, as well as the behind-the-scenes jobs for the gambling sections. Those in retail, spas, even event ushers hope for a positive interaction.

RELATED POST – Ultimate Guide to Casino Tipping

RELATED POST – Careers in the Gambling Industry

It’s not just here in New England. AC, Vegas, and everywhere in America’s casinos – show appreciation for great service and help. Make some casino employee’s day a great one today.

Happy Labor Day, America.

Binbin

MGM Springfield Continues Improvements – But More is Needed

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MGM Springfield Continues Improvements – But More is Needed. After one year in business, it is trying to improve its presence in the New England casino landscape.  They really are.  So why do I still feel like “meh” when I’m there? Let’s list random thoughts from my last visit.  Unlike other trip reports, this isn’t a timeline.  It truly is random to help you form your own opinions.

For the City of Springfield

MGM is listening to its patrons – they really are.  Chris DiMauro at Art in the Game has been a major proponent of what MGM Springfield is doing for the city of Springfield and the valley.  While there seems to be mixed feelings about MGM’s success, signs of Springfield rising from the ashes are visible.  Better security and more businesses Downtown are examples of improvement. And Red Rose Pizza next door can’t keep up with additional traffic through their door, so they are adding another kitchen to help the situation. But, more is needed. Just remember, one year is not enough for a real evaluation, so let’s be patient.

Red Rose Pizzeria Springfield, MA

Red Rose Pizzeria Springfield, MA

recent floor changes.

There is now an additional bar with a nice feel and great service.  Unfortunately, bad VP pay tables and chairs that can’t move still are things that need changing.

Adding more video poker is great.  But, diminishing the Royal Flush payouts to 1500 instead of the expected 4000 on 8/5 JOB decreases the expected value below 95%.  That’s still considered “non-playable.” Check the full pay tables on the denomination and number of credits you wish to play, not just the full House/Flush.

MGM Springfield has taken out approximately 400 slots.  It feels much more comfortable. There’s  lots of space for those who need it.  Sight lines are improved without compromising the “industrial chic” design.  Service has improved, especially for drinks on the casino floor.

Stadium Gaming at MGM Springfield

Stadium Gaming at MGM Springfield

I’m just not a fan of electronic table games.  I understand their place, but the rules offered are horrible.  That includes every New England casino I know of.  6:5 Blackjack, minimum bet $5 and side bets are ridiculous. Might as well play bad BJ on the same bad VP machines at the bars. How about Bubble Craps?  I was excited to see it, but after playing it with only 2X odds across the board, ouch.  Forget your friend “3-Point Molly”  here.  By the way, read the notice below on these machines before you decide to play.

Stadium gaming, roulette and Bubble Craps.

Not for free slot play or slot point earning. Stadium gaming, roulette and Bubble Craps.

kiosks and Hotel

Kiosk access, number of available kiosks and the combined MLife and cashier area all seem to be working out. However I purposely stay away from weekends and busy times, so, I wouldn’t know about those times.

The hotel check-in is still small, understaffed, and sometimes the staff is rather condescending. Of course, that’s my experience – five times. The hotel rooms are still small but comfortable. The beds and pillows are some of the best I’ve slept on in casino hotels.  I recommend a stay, especially during the rest of this summer with Food Truck Fridays or one of the many promotions still offered through the summer.  The pool is open and it’s a great time to utilize it.

I can’t wait to see the VIP lounge.  Too bad Starbucks had to be sacrificed, since it was another option for breakfast and much better coffee than the self service areas. But the lounge is a great move to show higher level players more appreciation and raises it as a destination for gamblers.

The rest of the story

The entrance at the parking garage has more room to move, and the additional kiosks are great. The restaurants are still good, and TAP is a terrific sports bar, much like its predecessor in Las Vegas. By the way. A shout out to Roberta behind the bar at TAP.  She is everything MGM would expect from hospitality.

My quick little trip wasn’t financially solvent.  Almost two hours of Double Double Bonus video poker and no quads – double ouch.  But I had fun with slots, and the casino floor continues to represent the newest in slot technology.

I will continue to visit because of the MLife connection and offers to Las Vegas MGM properties for those of us on the east coast. Earning points have been reported slower than MGM’s Biloxi and Las Vegas properties.  Let’s hope that is on the “To-Do” list for MGM Springfield.

Binbin415

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