Denied entry at MGM Grand Casino

**CLAUDE G** · January-29-11, 03:59 AM

I went to bed early tonight and woke up at 2:30AM and since I didn't have a big dinner wanted to go out and get something to eat.

So as I was driving, I decided to go to the MGM Casino instead and was going to eat there and see how far I could get on the slots with $100.

I showed up around 3AM and was denied entry due to the fact I didn't have my players card with me.

Apparently the Casino has a policy that they only let M Life Players club members into the Casino between 1:30AM and 4:30AM on the weekends.

Here is why im pist...

#1 I don't believe in those store shopping cards like the ones you get at Kroger and CVS. I think its an invasion of privacy, and I don't like the fact they can track all your purchases.

I think the Players cards are just as bad at the casino, as they can track how much money you spend, along with your wins and losses. In the back of my mind, since all the slot machines are networked, I think its possible that your odds of winning could be tied to the card, instead of to the individual machine when your card is used.

#2 There are no signs in the casino stating you need your card for entry for certain hours on certain days. If I would have been aware of the policy, I would have brought a card with me to show security to let me in.

#3 If you go to Vegas, I doubt any Casino would deny you entry without a players card

#4 The City of Detroit gets tax revenue from the Casinos. Denying people entry is costing the city of Detroit money in lost Tax revenue.

I shouldn't be treated like a second class citizen because I don't have a stupid players card.

Any thoughts?

**Meddle** · January-29-11, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

#1 I don't believe in those store shopping cards like the ones you get at Kroger and CVS. I think its an invasion of privacy, and I don't like the fact they can track all your purchases.

I think the Players cards are just as bad at the casino,

If I would have been aware of the policy, I would have brought a card with me to show security to let me in.

I shouldn't be treated like a second class citizen because I don't have a stupid players card.

Any thoughts?

You don't like them, but you would have brought one with you even though you don't have one?

And the only place you could have gone to eat was a casino?

**wolverine** · January-29-11, 04:57 AM

This thread is bait for quite the wide range of discussion other than the players club entrance requirement.

**rjk** · January-29-11, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

#1 I don't believe in those store shopping cards like the ones you get at Kroger and CVS. I think its an invasion of privacy, and I don't like the fact they can track all your purchases.

I don't like those cards either. I've often wondered how much money grocery stores get for those list of customers information. It must be quite a bit since stores have to realize that they're losing customers who refuse to give out private info.

The problem is that if you go to one of these stores and you don't have one of their cards you'll be paying $15 extra for a turkey.

The only cards I have are from a few pet stores. I'd like to go to a pet store that didn't require a card to not have to pay extra, but there isn't one that's close to my house.

**401don** · January-29-11, 08:32 AM

Obviously it's a policy to keep intoxicated folks from entering after the bars and clubs close but it should be clearly posted. I'm certain I entered Greektown around 2:30 last summer without a card.

**sumas** · January-29-11, 09:12 AM

Don't like those cards much either but I use them. Ace, CVS & kroger mosrly.

The casino thing would have upset me. Bad policy on their part.

**EastsideQT** · January-29-11, 09:13 AM

They did you favor...at least you still had your $100.00 when you left. Had they let you in they would have it.

**iheartthed** · January-29-11, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by 401don

Obviously it's a policy to keep intoxicated folks from entering after the bars and clubs close but it should be clearly posted. I'm certain I entered Greektown around 2:30 last summer without a card.

That would be ironic since MGM had at least two night clubs inside the building the last time I was there...

**9606 Prest** · January-29-11, 10:38 AM

Can't you think of better ways to spend your money then going to a casino? The odds are heavily in favor of the casino and there are other places to eat. You were fortunate that they didn't let you in, at least you had 100 dollars with you when you departed!

**Searay215** · January-29-11, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

I went to bed early tonight and woke up at 2:30AM and since I didn't have a big dinner wanted to go out and get something to eat.

So as I was driving, I decided to go to the MGM Casino instead and was going to eat there and see how far I could get on the slots with $100.

I showed up around 3AM and was denied entry due to the fact I didn't have my players card with me.

Apparently the Casino has a policy that they only let M Life Players club members into the Casino between 1:30AM and 4:30AM on the weekends.

Here is why im pist...

#1 I don't believe in those store shopping cards like the ones you get at Kroger and CVS. I think its an invasion of privacy, and I don't like the fact they can track all your purchases.

I think the Players cards are just as bad at the casino, as they can track how much money you spend, along with your wins and losses. In the back of my mind, since all the slot machines are networked, I think its possible that your odds of winning could be tied to the card, instead of to the individual machine when your card is used.

#2 There are no signs in the casino stating you need your card for entry for certain hours on certain days. If I would have been aware of the policy, I would have brought a card with me to show security to let me in.

#3 If you go to Vegas, I doubt any Casino would deny you entry without a players card

#4 The City of Detroit gets tax revenue from the Casinos. Denying people entry is costing the city of Detroit money in lost Tax revenue.

I shouldn't be treated like a second class citizen because I don't have a stupid players card.

Any thoughts?

I guess if you think the casino card are tied to your winning or loosing...then don't use it....maybe you will get better payback.

It does seem like an unfair policy do deny you entrance. Although comparing Detroit to Vegas is a stretch....maybe even a giant leap.

Seems there are better places to eat at that hour.

If you don't like Kroger and other cards, don't sign up, so if you want the discount or payback that they give, you must give up your right to privacy.

And finally Detroit don't need the money....otherwise they would find REAL ways of saving money, like privatizing EMS, trash pick up and alike.

**Gambling Man** · January-29-11, 11:42 AM

Greektown casino doesn't have any such policy. I have heard about the MGM policy. I am aware that they are having alot of problems after bar close time with some large fights in the casino. I guess if you don't want the fights, close the club or change the music.

**mcsdetroitfriend** · January-29-11, 12:56 PM

As a former employee of CVS I can tell you this much, you don't need to fill out the information on the sheet, just ask for a card and tell them you'll fill it out later. Just use it. Though putting your phone number down is helpful if you don't want to carry the stupid thing around.

Just my two cents.

**JBMcB** · January-29-11, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Gambling Man

I am aware that they are having alot of problems after bar close time with some large fights in the casino.

I've stayed at MGM once. We had a fantastic corner room overlooking the entrance with a nice view of downtown. Our room had a huge bed that, when you took the pillows off, backed right up to a huge window - no headboard - so you could open the motorized curtain and look at the skyline.

I was awoken at about 3AM - a limo bus was parked in the entryway and security [[and police) was escorting what appeared to be a wedding party out of the casino. Nearly everyone in the party were screaming at each other at the top of their lungs, for about ten minutes, to the point that it woke me up at 3 in the morning, eight floors up through insulated glass and heavy curtains.

I can imagine that they have all kinds of problems post-bar time. Honestly I don't see why they just remove the closing time requirements for bars. Keep the loonies there instead of pushing them all out on the road at 2AM.

**downtownguy** · January-29-11, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

You don't like them, but you would have brought one with you even though you don't have one?

And the only place you could have gone to eat was a casino?

Was this snarky remark necessary? She didn't say that she didn't have a card. She said she didn't have her card with her. It's possible she once got a card for some perk they offered, and just chooses not to use it when she gambles.

As I prefer to lose my money only when I get to watch the ponies run, I've only been to the MGM to eat. And yes, considering the options downtown at 3am, it does seem like a good choice.

As for the policy, I agree, it does seem stupid.

**Gistok** · January-29-11, 01:44 PM

REALITY CHECK PEOPLE......

I don't know about the casino cards... but for CVS, Kroger, and Speedway Gas [[the 3 cards I have)... you get one of those cards at the register [[with attached address form).... it gets activated immediately... and you just never fill out or return the form.

As mcsdetroitfriend said... they don't know who you are or where you live... all they know is what the owner of that card likes to buy... and when you make your next purchase[[s), you often get additional coupons [[as part of your receipt) that give you things like $3 off for any $15 purchase [[at CVS), or 5 Stouffers dinners for $10 [[at Kroger).... etc. And the extra coupons you get are mostly for items that the store chain knows the owner of that card likes to buy. And when items go on sale at these retailers, the sale is ONLY for card holders... so you would be foolish not to get one!

The retailers realize that some folks want to remain annonymous... and just want your business... so they have no problem with you remaining so.

**48217** · January-29-11, 01:51 PM

Most of the young people coming in after the bars close are not gambling, they are standing around. You can hardly walk through the place. They are coming from other bars, too. Fights break out from a bunch of non gaming people with the guest that are gambling because someone may have looked at their girl, or looking at them wrong.

**maxx** · January-29-11, 01:59 PM

The casino should have a sign with their policy about those early morning hours.

RE: store cards
I have one card for Kroger's which I find is handy. Surprisingly, I haven't gotten a lot of ads in the mail as I expected. I didn't give them my email address.

**GOAT** · January-29-11, 05:54 PM

Should have went to Caesar's. No issues there.

**Gistok** · January-29-11, 06:07 PM

I want to add to my earlier comment... stores that offer "Valued Shopper" cards where you don't have to turn in your information.... on my last CVS receipt I got a coupon for $4 off any single purchase... if I give them my Email ID.

Like I already said... you don't have to give them any information to get your card... but they will occasionally try to entice you to give it, by offering freebies.

**Jimaz** · January-29-11, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

I want to add to my earlier comment... stores that offer "Valued Shopper" cards where you don't have to turn in your information.... on my last CVS receipt I got a coupon for $4 off any single purchase... if I give them my Email ID.

Like I already said... you don't have to give them any information to get your card... but they will occasionally try to entice you to give it, by offering freebies.

Then you can tell your email client to send all their email to your SPAM can. Heh.

I notice that if you buy one brand, they'll often give you a coupon for a competing brand. I imagine they get paid something from the competing brand to do that. Then the original brand would have to pay them to steer you back. Neat little scheme there. A revenue stream with negligible cost.

DetroitPole · January-29-11, 07:29 PM

I hate the cards mostly because they expect you to fucking carry them around. I have enough shit in my wallet and key chain without some idiotic card to some crappy chain store. The only one that I find at all useful is the CVS card because CVS is so commonplace in the city and Rite Aid is a worthless disgusting pit. I gave CVS all false information and the address of a foreclosed house to get my annoying card. I just have to not act surprised when the cashier calls me by a made-up name. Unfortunately that was before the days of McLovin so I didn't get to use that one.

**Jimaz** · January-29-11, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by BLGaughan

... my CVS card has saved me literally hundreds of dollars over the years....

Welcome to the forum, BLGaughan.

I suspect they're overpricing their merchandise in the first place, effectively getting customers who don't want the card to subsidize customers who do.

Pretty shrewd plan. Wish I had invented it.

But what does it really accomplish, I wonder?

**yupislyr** · January-29-11, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

I suspect they're overpricing their merchandise in the first place, effectively getting customers who don't want the card to subsidize customers who do.

Pretty shrewd plan. Wish I had invented it.

That's it exactly. They aren't going to give out discounts and freebies to everyone when there's plenty of other people to subsidize it for card users only. And no doubt they are selling/mining that data for further profits. Mission accomplished.

It's exactly the same for any other credit card cash back, reward points, or whatever bonus program. The non-card users/program members are basically paying for everyone else's discounts or rewards.

Remove all of that and prices would go down. In theory anyway.

**softailrider** · January-30-11, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by 9606 Prest

Can't you think of better ways to spend your money then going to a casino? The odds are heavily in favor of the casino and there are other places to eat. You were fortunate that they didn't let you in, at least you had 100 dollars with you when you departed!

Well of course, you're always better off KEEPING your money rather then giving it to some casino. Sometimes you just feel like gambling though. If it's entertainment money not needed for more important things then what difference does it make?

**Gistok** · January-30-11, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by yupislyr

That's it exactly. They aren't going to give out discounts and freebies to everyone when there's plenty of other people to subsidize it for card users only. And no doubt they are selling/mining that data for further profits. Mission accomplished.

It's exactly the same for any other credit card cash back, reward points, or whatever bonus program. The non-card users/program members are basically paying for everyone else's discounts or rewards.

Remove all of that and prices would go down. In theory anyway.

Yuplisyr,

I hope you're not going to spoil it for those of us that are "using the system" to our advantage by keeping others paying more!!

I'm kidding...

As a CVS cardholder [[with them not knowing my name or info)... I just bought 6 midsized boxes of TOTAL Cereal [[$4-$5 each at Kroger)... and with the savings of card... coupons... and free money coupon... paid $8 for them!!

I did want to mention one other thing... ALDI's... the Germany based retailer that has been opening "mini-marts" throughout metro Detroit [[also in the city!).... don't think of them as "dollar stores"... they have many top quality items at bargain prices. Yes... some of their stuff is imported from Germany... but unlike foodstuffs from China... you can safely eat anything German.... [[LOL... there's a pun there somewhere).

ALDI's has no frills shopping, but it's worth it to try German frozen Torte's and Strudels, as well as a lot of American items.... and many things you've never seen before...

Also, as one of the few food retailers to have a foothold in Detroit... I give them a lot of respect!!