Carrying Money

Carry with you the money that you want to gamble. Using an ATM card will cost you more than you want to pay for the transaction.

From a recent post:

"Never use an ATM machine in a casino, unless you are prepared to pay the price" warns a consumer advocacy group.

Las Vegas Casinos and several major airports ranked the highest in service fees to use an ATM machine. A recent survey of the strip found the majority of the machines charge anywhere between $4 and $6 for each withdrawl- and this does not include the fees you may incur from your bank.

The casinos are buying into the philosophy that people withdrawl more when the service fee is high. Whether or not this is true remains to be seen, but what is known is that the ATM will be the only machine most tourists will use that will actually pay off.


Personal checks are useless; no one will take them. Traveler's checks are the best bet deal and can be cashed easily in any casino. I carry all my gambling money in traveler's checks. I like it best when I never have to cash any of them. Those of you in the Teacher's Credit Union can get Traveler's Checks for free. Don't hesitate to get $1oo denominations.


Even if you carry your bankroll in safe Traveler's Checks, you may end up with a huge amount of cash if you hit a jackpot. You can get money locked up at the casino if you hit it big. Remember, when you win and do all that shouting, there are people around you listening. If you are carrying large sums of winnings ask to be escorted to your car. Avoid the bus and take a cab.

For all purchases your credit card will work easily. Bring at least two. Calling the credit card company and letting them know you are going to Vegas will preclude them deciding to stop your card until you assure them that this new activity in a risky location does not mean the card has been stolen. Proving you are who you say you are is not always an easy task on the phone. I once had to beg to get a little gas on my card coming home from Atlantic City. Now I call before I go.

I also carry my wallet in my front pocket and walk with my hand on it.

Zerox your driver's license or passport before you leave. Write down the phone numbers of the credit cards companies you use. Store the Traverler's check numbers and this information somewhere besides your wallet.

Generally, hotel rooms are safer than streets. I have never had anything stolen, but last trip I played poker with a young fellow who had $800 taken by a pick pocket. Leave expensive jewelry home, or if you need it for a fancy night out, lock it in a safe box at the hotel for the rest of the week. Always better safe than sorry.