And F with the union contracts? phahgettabbouddit. The muggers and thieves in LV are nothing more than bottom feeders compared to the union illuminati.

Well, I guess it's impossible to have security at the Rio then folks.

Pack concealed heat and take some MMA lessons before playing WSOP. [/thread]

As promised, here is the report on my meeting with Jack Effel regarding the safety issues at the WSOP. I met with Jack, the WSOP Operations Manager and two members of the Rio Security Management Team.

First let me say that Jack and his team were very receptive and actively listened to my concerns. I was not surprised to learn that this incident does not appear to be a random act of violence or theft. Because LVMPD is investigating, the specific details were not shared with me. It was repeatedly stated by both Jack and the Security Team that while the WSOP and Rio make guest security a number one priority, people cannot be protected from themselves and that if we, as guests participate in activities that place ourselves in harms way it makes it extremely difficult for them to do their jobs. I agreed but pointed out that REGARDLESS of the specific details of THIS incident, it is only a matter of time before a real random act of violence occurs. Whether “John” was a victim or a perpetrator of a crime, it does not negate the fact that one occurred and that it can and will happen again. Clearly the WSOP involves lots of folks with lots of cash and it is an invitation for trouble without the necessary upgrades in security we have all been calling for. This point cannot be argued. We are potential targets. That said, Jack et al are concerned that my post, in addition to those of others may cause a panic and that they want folks to know that there are very complicated security systems (that for obvious reasons cannot be revealed) and that the WSOP and Rio do everything they can to ensure guest safety.

Here are the specific issues being addressed:
1) Valet capacity - Jack is working with the Rio GM to increase the capacity of the Pavillion valet.
2) Lighting in the Pavillion Lot - Security is reviewing options to put up some sort of temporary flood lighting in the sections of the lot that are currently not well lit.
3) Cash Boxes - Because of gaming regulations safety deposit boxes take some time to acquire. This means that while they will not be able to add boxes this year, Jack assures me they are a capital expense already written into next year’s budget.
4) Room Thefts - Specific incidents, of course could not be discussed. However, the Rio security team would like guests to know the following:
Your “safe is safe”. Use it. Apparently resetting the code of in room safes requires a two person process. Staff do not have the means to access your in room safe.
Make sure your door locks when you leave your room. Double check the handle and push the door to make sure it is completely shut.
If you should experience a theft of property from your room, contact Rio security immediately. You will also need to contact LVMPD to file a police report. There are measures that the Rio security team can take to track who entered your room and they will aid in any investigation by law enforcement.
5) Safekeeping of Cash - If you have money that you do not want to keep in your room safe, you can place it into safekeeping with the cage at the Rio. Per Jack, this is a process that takes about 15 minutes to count, document and lock up your money for safekeeping until you want to pick it up. This option is available to everyone. Please avail yourself of it.
6) More Visible Security in the Parking Lot - while I couldn't get a commitment to increase the number of security guards patrolling the lot, I really advocated for it. It would provide an increased sense of safety as well as serve as a deterrent.
Jack did ask if I had to choose between lighting and more guard presence which I would want. I told him I want both and that I shouldn't have to choose.
We aren't asking for the moon here, just some simple changes.

As for my statements regarding the performance of the Rio security team involved in this incident, I stand by them. The security staff present assured me that their team is well trained and handled this incident well. Here is where we disagreed. Apparently, the initial security response’s role is specifically to secure the scene. Even if his single priority is scene safety, he should have personal protective equipment and access to first aid supplies. It may have taken only 3 minutes and 30 seconds for the Rio’s EMT to arrive on scene but in that time, a life threatening injury would go untreated and that is unacceptable to me. Additionally, I gave my professional opinion of the situation and recommended that the team conduct additional real time scenarios to evaluate and correct the complete lack of leadership demonstrated in the initial response to this incident.

Jack wants all attendees to know that you can reach out to him at any time with any concerns you may have. I pointed out that for the average guest of the WSOP there may a disconnect here because most folks don’t know that we have open access to him and his staff. There clearly is a need for improvement in the way that the WSOP is able to communicate with players. Many of the top pros and regular attendees do tweet Jack or his staff directly but the avg player who’s home game sent him for the first time is probably NOT aware of this access. I recommended a very public player liaison to handle most general inquiries regarding the events and safety concerns. In response to that, there was also discussion of publishing a guide to the WSOP in the future. This would contain much of the information regarding personal safety that we’ve talked about here and ways that people can be proactive about protecting themselves and their property while at the WSOP. If you have any recommendations of things that should be included in this future publication, please let Jack Effel know.

So the take away is this guys...don’t put yourself in dangerous positions. Leave your cash in your room safe, safety deposit box or in safe keeping with the cage. Make sure your room doors are closed. Be aware of your surroundings. Take care of yourselves and each other. The WSOP and Rio promise to do their part.

I want to thank Jack and his staff for their time and attention and am hopeful that the changes they promised will occur quickly. I hope that they use this incident as an learning opportunity to improve security and I will keep harping until they do.

Thanks for posting this OP. I am leaving in 2 weeks and was curious on the safe reset that was discussed earlier. I don't plan on bringing a lot of cash or even a laptop etc, but I will definitely be using the safe for anything of importance I don't want to carry with me when I leave the room.

Someone who is good with cameras should set up a trap. Leave a small amount of "test cash" out and then film the room with the hidden camera while they are gone to see who is doing this.

Absolutely solid public-service post. Thanks for taking the time to meet with them and for documenting what was discussed.

Thank you. I hope that the WSOP and Rio come through for us....

One of those fake-money exploding dye packs like they give to bank robbers even better..

Regardless of what happens, I appreciate your efforts (the initial assistance to the victim, following up with WSOP staff, and writing everything up here).

The poker world, and society in general, needs more people like you who are willing to demand improvements for everyone's benefit.

Yes, good job all round gnormsmama.

Ok so after your initial post bashing everyone and their brother because some poor, innocent, guy allegedly got robbed/abducted you have come to a conclusion most people knew in the first place. Dude was doing some shady stuff and got his butt kicked. His behavior after which caused other actions by security that you didn't like because you were obviously caught up in the excitement. (Didn't you say you taught first aid or were a first responder or something? If that's the case you should know not to get emotionally caught up in an emergency.) You, believing said poor innocent guys story, spazzed out and started a wave of terror (dramatic I know lol) ending in a public service announcement stating what every 9th grader knows going on their first overnight field trip.

I skipped reading the last 5 pages; I'd rate his story 50/50 he got robbed and would attribute the other 50% to being drunk and maybe said something to the wrong person or someones girl friend. In any event; thanks for trying to aid him either way...

The neighborhood surrounding the Rio is pretty bad. Just a matter of time before one of the meth heads in the area learns the location of the high stakes cash games where people leave thousands on the table unattended during bathroom breaks. It'd be easy for someone to come in, snatch thousands of dollars cash and disappear into the employee exit that leads down the stairs and into the dark parking lot. Seems like it'd be less brazen than people snatching slot tickets out of your machine, breaking into your room or robbing you in the parking lot. I think it's only a matter of time...

Interesting that Jack asked her if she had to make a choice between more security guards patrolling the parking lot or better lighting, which would she choose? A question like that is a clear indication that Mr. Effel is between a rock and a hard place. His bosses are applying maximum pressure [on him] to contain and minimize costs. From a strictly dollars and cents standpoint, "security" is absolutely a cost - that's how any money spent on security outside the building will show up on the P&L report for this year's WSOP.

This is what happens when your bosses have managed to wrack up $23 billion in debt - every "cost" is scrutinized to the nth degree. I'm not normally sympathetic to Mr. Effel, Seth Palansky, or Gary Loveman, but put yourself in their shoes. They are under enormous pressure to milk the WSOP for all it's worth - and preferably more. The lack of adequate security and Caesar's precarious financial position are directly related.

+1, thank you for your efforts OP. This is really something WSOP should be making a statement about, rather than relying on you to convey this information to the players. Not everyone reads 2p2, and I'm sure many people have heard the reports of thefts and muggings, have seen there has been zero public response from WSOP organizers, and now might be thinking twice about heading to Vegas for a weekend and playing at the Rio.

I definitely sympathize with Jack Effel and the many variables he needs to consider, but providing adequate security for players is not something they can compromise on. I hope they follow through on increasing security presence and lighting in the parking lot, and I will certainly continue to bring up this issue on social media if nothing is done.

I think having a designated security escort outside the Rio who will walk people to their cars on request would be a good idea, as well as a security post set up halfway back in the lot. My local card room in Oakland had two security posts set up like this in their parking lot, and it was probably like 1/50 the size of the Rio lot. Keeping customers safe should be part of fundamental WSOP operations; not treated as some kind of "extra" expense.

http://pokerfraudalert.com/forum/sho...the-full-story

I feel it is important that I, as the OP of this thread stand corrected on the facts surrounding how "John" resulted in being assaulted. After my initial post, I wrote another very clearly stating that my recounting of the events was based on what had been told to me by "John" and what I observed after encountering him. That said, there are unique security needs to the event that the WSOP and Rio must adapt their status quo procedures to meet. This incident, regardless of the specific circumstances is an instructive lesson that depicts the gaps in security quite clearly. One only needs to watch the World Wide Hip Hop video of a guy breaking into multiple vehicles in the Rio parking lot to know that they are real.

To that end, Jack and his staff had heard these concerns and are taking measures to resolve them. For that I am glad and hope that they come through.

get to the point girl
no one cares what you think or pointless details

What about a group of volunteers who can walk people to their cars? Or a meeting point inside the casino where people can gather to walk to the parking lot in a big group to protect each other?

Thread title should be changed.

For all we know, he might have unsuccessfully tried to mug someone.

Does security have an obligation to report a non-assault to police, especially if non-victim doesn't want to involve authorities?

Something is fishy.

I like this idea

Can we just get Dan Bilzerian to come down and escort people...

Yeah the escort idea pretty solid.

Perhaps a golf cart...

Let the satty floorman drive the cart so he can earn his tips.

Oh yeah, in Vegas anyway. I've seen security in the Orleans parking structure often, on bicycle. They can haul ass too. Gold Coast definitely does. They rousted me out of the lot one night when I was taking a short cut through an area I shouldn't have been in. They must have cameras because they found me pretty quick.

why not just valet at the rio and any casino ?

Sounds good. If you all shave your heads and hand out flowers, you could kill two birds with one stone.