In this interview with CalvinAyre.com’s Rebecca Liggero, Brook Dunn of Big Bet Gaming walks down memory lane in search for solution to bring Las Vegas’ old glory to the future.
Back in the day when mobile phones were considered as science fiction and Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne were all busy developing the first Apple computer in a garage, Las Vegas was considered to be the world’s premier gaming and entertainment hub.
People flocked to Nevada’s so-called sin city to gamble or watch big concerts of famous recording artists, like Elvis Presley, because everything was cheap back then. There were hotel rooms that only cost $50 a night while guest may enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner for less than $10.
Brook Dunn of Big Bet Gaming recalled that people back then have enough money to gamble in Las Vegas, and everyone was having fun since they have the means to play and be entertained.
“This is back when the mob has left and legitimate business has taken over. So it was a totally different atmosphere, it was a totally different arena, and it is back with table games,” Dunn told CalvinAyre.com “Entertainment was number one. We could see all this for 19 dollars and you got two for drinks and the only place where you can see Elvis Presley was in Las Vegas.”
The Las Vegas, which Dunn knew, is now totally different from the Las Vegas that is in the future. Not only did it lose the title of the world’s premier gambling mecca to Macau, but it also faced tough challenges from other gambling hubs in and out of the U.S. as well as the rising popularity of online gambling.
Dunn pointed out that the development of latest technology has brought gambling closer to players through their desktops and mobile phones, making it possible for them to gamble everywhere. Somehow, Dunn lamented that Las Vegas wasn’t quick enough to adapt to the changing gambling trends.
“So we’ve lost that advantage of being an entertainment capital of the world. We have 135,000 seats to sell every day. So it’s a different arena. Back then people were having a lot more fun, a lot of cash. Everybody have cash. It is a different thing. No debit cards, cash. You couldn’t cash your check unless you have pre-approved credits. So it’s a different world,” he said. “It is a place where you can go and have fun. But also remember Nevada and Jersey are the only places you can gamble then. So today, you can gamble everywhere. Now you have to create a different experience and the way to do that is to create a gaming experience. And we are not doing that.”
In order for Las Vegas to keep up with these challenges, Dunn believes that casino operators should bring the word “fun” back to the U.S.’ biggest gambling hub. Due to casino operators’ desire to gain much profit, Dun said that the players’ gaming experience are being snatched away.
“You are raising the prices. Why are we raising the prices when there is so much supply out there? We should be lowering the prices to get people to come in and have fun.” he asked. “And electronics have changed everything. Mass communication, everybody wants to tell everybody. I get really tired of people wanting to show pictures of where they are rather than enjoying where they are.”
Dunn also pointed out the need the energetic individualism of entrepreneurs in Las Vegas, which had been pretty evident when businessmen took over sin-city from mobs. He said that the present set-up of Las Vegas is founded in corporate structure and every hotel pretty much looks the same.
He also believes that casino operators shouldn’t stress themselves out in enticing younger generations, saying that they will come around once they have already established their lives.
“The millennials will end up enjoying these products when they have the money and the time to do it. When you are working hard for a living, when you are going to school, paying off your debts, trying to buy a house, trying to get started, you don’t have a lot of free time and a lot of money. So millennials will eventually gamble, trust me. It’s just when… And it’s not today,” he said.
