Borgata Racebook -- Getting Paranoid?

[joeydb]

Hi guys...I went to the Borgata Casino Hotel in Atlantic City yesterday with my dad and we played at the racebook. I normally enjoy that -- they have these "Tiny Tim" touchscreen devices for entering bets so you're less likely to get locked out in a long line for the windows. My dad lives in south jersey and we are limited in where we can go. Philly Park and Delaware Park are the closest tracks to us.

I brought a laptop computer to do calculations and check websites like DT and get e-mail. They even provide wifi hotspot connectivity. However, one of the workers asked me "Hey, where's that connected to?" When I told her I was on their wi-fi, and that I'm betting only with Borgata on the Tiny Tim, she said, "Well, they're going to be stopping those" (laptops).

It is very frustrating to have ignorance and paranoia drive the conditions under which I play the game. I am not a paper and pencil player. We have a hard enough time introducing new players...a "laptops not allowed" rule will not help at all.

[TheSpyder]

Agreed, I'm lost without mine. I play at home 90% of the time but when at the track or casino, I really wish I could get on line.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by joeydb

Hi guys...I went to the Borgata Casino Hotel in Atlantic City yesterday with my dad and we played at the racebook. I normally enjoy that -- they have these "Tiny Tim" touchscreen devices for entering bets so you're less likely to get locked out in a long line for the windows. My dad lives in south jersey and we are limited in where we can go. Philly Park and Delaware Park are the closest tracks to us.

I brought a laptop computer to do calculations and check websites like DT and get e-mail. They even provide wifi hotspot connectivity. However, one of the workers asked me "Hey, where's that connected to?" When I told her I was on their wi-fi, and that I'm betting only with Borgata on the Tiny Tim, she said, "Well, they're going to be stopping those" (laptops).

It is very frustrating to have ignorance and paranoia drive the conditions under which I play the game. I am not a paper and pencil player. We have a hard enough time introducing new players...a "laptops not allowed" rule will not help at all.

I've argued with them in the past about this, ask to speak to a manager. You are not transmitting data which can get them in trouble (like in Las Vegas, where you "potentially" could be sending sports lines) and they will let you use it. I'm not going to print out 400 pages of Thorograph sheets and 200 pages of the DRF every time I want to play anywhere but home.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by philcski

I've argued with them in the past about this, ask to speak to a manager. You are not transmitting data which can get them in trouble (like in Las Vegas, where you "potentially" could be sending sports lines) and they will let you use it. I'm not going to print out 400 pages of Thorograph sheets and 200 pages of the DRF every time I want to play anywhere but home.

I took my labtop into a sportsbook when I vacationed in St. KItts this summer. The manager of the place refused to let me access. He gladly printed off all the DRF pp's I wanted. However, I was treated great after that misunderstanding. I get happy quick when the free beer starts being offered.

[eajinabi]

I am sorry I never crunch numbers on a laptop for me to pick winners. I am strictly a paper and pencil guy and have been since I started playing this game since I was 13 years old. To me, you learn more without software and with them its just a handicap (no pun intended)

[3kings]

I don't see why everyone doesn't understand the Casino's point of view. If you have a laptop you can gamble elsewhere. Their only way to try to prevent it is to stop all use of laptops. They only make money if you bet through the casino. I don't think any business wants you to use there signal, while providing free drinks, without them having any chance to make a percentage of the money.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by eajinabi

I am sorry I never crunch numbers on a laptop for me to pick winners. I am strictly a paper and pencil guy and have been since I started playing this game since I was 13 years old. To me, you learn more without software and with them its just a handicap (no pun intended)

Originally Posted by 3kings

I don't see why everyone doesn't understand the Casino's point of view. If you have a laptop you can gamble elsewhere. Their only way to try to prevent it is to stop all use of laptops. They only make money if you bet through the casino. I don't think any business wants you to use there signal, while providing free drinks, without them having any chance to make a percentage of the money.

I think you're both missing the point. Why would you go to the casino, with your laptop, to bet online? That makes less than no sense. They are worried about violation of the Wire Act, which doesn't apply here (Atlantic City) as parimutuel pools are exempt- and if they actually knew the laws they were trying to enforce then there would be no problem. I bring mine to SAVE PAPER, nothing else. It's pointless to print out 500 pages of PP's when you can have them on a computer.

[hi_im_god]

Originally Posted by philcski

I think you're both missing the point. Why would you go to the casino, with your laptop, to bet online? That makes less than no sense. They are worried about violation of the Wire Act, which doesn't apply here (Atlantic City) as parimutuel pools are exempt- and if they actually knew the laws they were trying to enforce then there would be no problem. I bring mine to SAVE PAPER, nothing else. It's pointless to print out 500 pages of PP's when you can have them on a computer.

i usually fix my dinner at home to eat at a restaurant, then drive my car to the gas station so i can fill it from a 5 gallon container i brought, before heading to the casino so i can bet on my laptop.

i thought everyone did that.

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by philcski

I think you're both missing the point. Why would you go to the casino, with your laptop, to bet online? That makes less than no sense. They are worried about violation of the Wire Act, which doesn't apply here (Atlantic City) as parimutuel pools are exempt- and if they actually knew the laws they were trying to enforce then there would be no problem. I bring mine to SAVE PAPER, nothing else. It's pointless to print out 500 pages of PP's when you can have them on a computer.

Exactly. I could have played at home. I live in PA. My dad likes to go to the casino, since he lives in NJ, and I thought it'd be fun to play there. As I said, I was playing only through them, which they could easily verify through checking the records since I submitted all bets through their tiny tim system. I think I had 2 beers the whole time I was there.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by philcski

I think you're both missing the point. Why would you go to the casino, with your laptop, to bet online? That makes less than no sense. They are worried about violation of the Wire Act, which doesn't apply here (Atlantic City) as parimutuel pools are exempt- and if they actually knew the laws they were trying to enforce then there would be no problem. I bring mine to SAVE PAPER, nothing else. It's pointless to print out 500 pages of PP's when you can have them on a computer.

Quite your bitching and just get a photographic memory

[Bigsmc]

Tampa Bay Downs advertises that they have wifi throughout the plant.

They don't seem terribly worried about their business. They want people on track.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Tampa Bay Downs advertises that they have wifi throughout the plant.

They don't seem terribly worried about their business. They want people on track.

Soooooooooooo....let me get this straight. I can:

1. Player poker
2. Bet horses
3. Stalk chicks over the internet

All this and I never have to leave Tampa Bay Downs????

*note to self..put in job transfer request ASAP*

[3kings]

Originally Posted by philcski

I think you're both missing the point. Why would you go to the casino, with your laptop, to bet online? That makes less than no sense. They are worried about violation of the Wire Act, which doesn't apply here (Atlantic City) as parimutuel pools are exempt- and if they actually knew the laws they were trying to enforce then there would be no problem. I bring mine to SAVE PAPER, nothing else. It's pointless to print out 500 pages of PP's when you can have them on a computer.

I understand your point, and saving the paper is admirable........but the majority of people if they see a wager they would like to make, and the possiblity of being shut out at the window, would just bet through their laptop. I would.

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Tampa Bay Downs advertises that they have wifi throughout the plant.

They don't seem terribly worried about their business. They want people on track.

Delaware encourages use of laptops as well. Now if they only had horse racing there they would have something.

For all of it's draw backs at Delaware Park when you are sitting in the simulcast theatre on big days and they do that funky thing with making all of tv's look like one giant 100 foot by 50 foot movie screen it's better than anything I have ever seen for a sporting event like the derby.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by GPK

Soooooooooooo....let me get this straight. I can:

1. Player poker
2. Bet horses
3. Stalk chicks over the internet

All this and I never have to leave Tampa Bay Downs????

*note to self..put in job transfer request ASAP*

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

Yes

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by docicu3

Delaware encourages use of laptops as well. Now if they only had horse racing there they would have something.

For all of it's draw backs at Delaware Park when you are sitting in the simulcast theatre on big days and they do that funky thing with making all of tv's look like one giant 100 foot by 50 foot movie screen it's better than anything I have ever seen for a sporting event like the derby.

Yep, I agree. I go to the tournaments at Delaware Park too. Great time. I use the "Tiny Tim" there to enter bets also. And they couldn't care less if I bring a laptop or not.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Scav

Quite your bitching and just get a photographic memory

GFY...



Just an update, I was in AC today and played at Caesars' racebook while using my laptop and no one said anything (other than the old guys who always ask what I'm doing with it.)

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by philcski

GFY...



Just an update, I was in AC today and played at Caesars' racebook while using my laptop and no one said anything (other than the old guys who always ask what I'm doing with it.)

I had heard at one point that Vegas was going to get rid of the no cell phone rule.

LOL...at one point, i thought GFY meant "good for you".

[jwkniska]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I had heard at one point that Vegas was going to get rid of the no cell phone rule.

they did. my sister was using hers (listening to voice mail) earlier this month and nobody said a thing.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by jwkniska

they did. my sister was using hers (listening to voice mail) earlier this month and nobody said a thing.

It isn't like they are constantly watching for it. I have seen people in there have 30 minutes conversations on their bluetooth. It is still Nevada law.

Word was that they were considering dropping it because of the way technology has changed