Safety and Management of Large Winnings

[Ice9Tre]

 
Hello everyone!
 
Finally made my first post a few days ago and now I'd like to start a new thread!
 
I've read a few anecdotes about this topic in different threads -- but would like to hear even more about what all of you do in those circumstances when you win moderate to large VP jackpots ($2,000+) and then find yourself having to deal with handling the money in public and figuring out what to do with the money after the hand pay all the way until you are finally home.
 
I myself have never had a 4-figure hit on VP...so I've never dealt with this issue. But I'm probably heading to Vegas in less than 2 weeks and I am deciding that I'm finally going to have a 4-figure hit (I hope at least one machine agrees with me!)
 
So...
 
You've just been given a public hand-pay...
 
Have you ever felt like you were being watched closely by someone with bad intentions? Subsequently followed through the casino? To your car?
 
Once you get to the room -- what have been your strategies for storage? Ever worried about nosy room-cleaners? Ever had problems with safes?
 
I have thought -- if I ever won -- say -- $5,000 or more -- I'd be downright paranoid of losing or misplacing the money -- or that this would be the one time I'd get mugged or had my wallet stolen. Has anyone ever tried to arrange a wiring of funds to their home bank account from the hotel/casino that they were staying at? Would they do this? Would they charge a fee?
 
I saw someone mention receiving a check for their winnings. What if you lost the check -- do you think a casino would or could replace it?
 
And what would you do for a flight home? Where would you store your money?
 
My friend once hit $3,500 on a nickel slot and decided to stay in the casino and play some more. She said an older couple -- who saw the hit -- shadowed her through the casino. She said she wasn't alarmed...she had a feel for the other people and she said that they were just being friendly. Nothing ended up happening.
 
My mom also hit $3,000 on VP at an Indian Casino and the staff there _offered_ to walk her to her car when she was ready. She declined and she was fine.
 
But still -- I was just wondering what I'd do if I won a bunch of money. I'd probably be too paranoid to enjoy the rest of the trip! *lol*
 
Curious to hear your suggestions and stories.
 
Thanks,
 
-Trey

[marie meijer]

Very interesting post and a topic dear to my heart! Gotta admire your positive attitude about winning next trip! LUCK! On a couple occasions we used our room safe and once, the hotel safe and these both worked fine. I admit I had reservations and assumed we would never see our cash again. Beats stashing cash in a mattress or library book!  If we are lucky enough and about to board a plane with winnings, Mr Wonderful warns me not to look happy (why I do not play table poker!) or talk about wins any place or I'll get us both killed! Once a big guy really freaked me out as he appeared gaining on me, directly in my path, in a deserted parking structure. Abruptly, I turned and ran past him in the direction of an out of sight attendant - I had read this somewhere - only to realize he was innocently parked next to my car! STRANGE behavior on my part, I realized and my way of apologizing was to laugh, safely across the hood of my car and yell "Oh I guess you aren't a stalker after all!" Without missing a beat, he said "No, that's okay, I understand." He's probably still laughing. The things we write with an alias!

[shadowman]

Whatever you do, don't put it in a library book.
 
Personally, I've never worried about it and never had a problem. When I go to my hotel room I am always there so it would be difficult for anyone to break-in. I always set the dead bolt. When I'm out I do watch those around me for suspicious activities for a little while after the hit and when I'm leaving. However, I'm above average in build so someone might think twice before coming after me. My biggest win is $4000 and I've had many $1-2000 wins as well.
 
Most hotels have safes where you can store your valuables. Most casinos will walk a patron to their car if asked. You need to do what makes you feel comfortable and safe.
 

[marie meijer]

If I were a criminal, interested in robbing someone at a casino, I might consider robbing them on the way INTO a casino instead of on the way out - unless, I had seen them hit big time inside the casino. The logical assumption: that they are leaving because they had lost all their money. YOU and the criminal mind set may have other theories.

[pokeherguy]

I've had  trips where I've cashed $4K and $8K within minutes of each other and almost all handpays draw some attention so when the casino offers to have someone escort me to my truck I take them up on it. On one occassion I had hit a royal flush $8K, A's w/kicker $4K and a couple of other things to go along with it. When you get this type of payouts there is always the chance that someone up to no good is watching. There have been people from this area who are followed home and robbed and a few even killed. I even look at cars as I drive to make sure I'm not being followed.

[EDC1977]

  All sorts of paranoia can set in if you feel insecure about the environment.Understand, the casino staff is doing what they can to provide a safe gaming environment. Handpays however small will draw some attention not always the best kind either but take advantage of any extra security offers if any.(better safe than sorry) Don't put it in between the mattresses or CDdenver will get it. Faygo only gets the monies left in library books so rest assured. One quarter royal gets you a 4 figure handpay in some places so don't think you're immune to this sort of thing. I had one good session at a locals casino which netted me $1700 yet I didn't feel threatened although I was aware of my surroundings! Much like Shadowman, I'm very stocky build so I may be more intimidating to others.

[oej719]

I say pack some heat. Nothing to big or bulky. Flash it at the first sign of trouble.

[cddenver]

 Don't put it in between the mattresses or CDdenver will get it. Faygo only gets the monies left in library books so rest assured.
 
Dadgumit, Ed, don't be giving our secrets away! 
 
It's not necessary to be a big winner to be a target.  I have a friend who is a bartender at one of the local casinos.  One day about 5 years ago he cashed his paycheck and was walking from his casino to the one next to it when he was dragged into the alley between the two places and not only robbed, but worked over pretty good by two guys.
 
I'm above average in build myself, but on occasion I've asked a casino host or hostess to have someone walk me out to my vehicle or to my room.
 
I've never had a problem with a room safe, including the one or two times I've forgotten to lock it (stupid).
 
Every now and again I'll have a Vegas trip where the number of Bennies I'm going home with is too large to fit in my wallet, so they get put in my carryon bag.  I've wondered myself if casinos offer a service that would allow me to wire winnings to my bank account.
 

[aliasyoshi]

We are headed to Vegas in about a month, and I have randomly thought on this topic.  To be honest, we are "cheap" gamblers so I am not that "concerned" of a big pay day!    But, I was thinking, if you win a nice sum at one place on say Monday, but will not be leaving town until Thursday, could you not ask that they keep the cash/check until you leave town?  I would feel much safer that way then hauling around thousands of dollars...

[marie meijer]

oej719 re packing heat: Assuming you are serious, airport officials frown on this type of thing. Further, some casinos have gals open their purses and guys open their jackets to show they are carrying nothing lethal or illegal. These inspections do not appear to be thorough enough to disclose everything one might be carrying. These inspections could easily become more thorough should the inspector relate the individual to a suspicious profile. Some or maybe all courthouses have metal detectors to enter and it may come to that someday for casinos. Someone did shoot himself to death in a casino over his gambling addiction, losses and debts, a few years ago. I have been told that if someone is packing for defense they best be prepared to also use the weapon and know how to do so. The sudden appearance of a weapon might drive someone to irrational and threatening behavior. Anything I might carry could and would probably be used against me in a confrontation or court of law. SM brought up good point of using deadbolt on hotel room door! Maid service sometimes leaves chocolate surprise on pillows when guests are absent. Cruise ship stewards do cute stuff in rooms - create a towel monkey and put sun glasses on it, spread out night clothes, etc. Assume someone might be in your room when you are not there, even after the room has been cleaned! Great ideas are being pooled for this topic!