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Most casinos are virtual fortresses with surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and high-level security staff all geared at protecting both themselves and you. Furthermore, most casino patrons are honest people, there to spend a little cash and have a good time. However, that does not mean that you should not do your part to protect yourself and your money. Taking a few steps to be prepared now will save you a lot of heartache in the long run.

How To Protect Yourself And Your Cash At The Casino

1. Let the valet park your car. Using the valet for your car is worth the added cost of a tip. For one, you will not have to spend the time finding a place to park, but most importantly, you will not have to walk back to your car in a dark parking lot at the end of the night if you win a lot of cash. You and your money are a lot safer waiting at the valet stand than roaming through a parking lot.
2. Watch your purse. If you are a woman, you know that carrying your purse through a casino is both necessary and a tremendous inconvenience. As time goes on, women become less attentive to their purses, leaving them on the floor at the slot machine or table. Do not leave your purse unattended, keep it on your lap or your shoulder, and reduce the risk of it being stolen.
3. Put your money away. Many gamblers will walk away from the cashier still counting their cash or simply holding it in their hand, excited to get in the game. Take the time to count your money and put it in your wallet before you leave the cashier stand. There is no reason to walk around flashing money in a casino.
4. Utilize the security escort. You do not have to win big to warrant a security escort in the casino. If you are uncomfortable walking to the cashier stand, or from the cashier stand to the casino doors, ask a security guard to assist you. Most guards are happy to get you to where you need to be safe.
5. Be aware of your surroundings. You do not have to keep one eye on everyone in the casino at all times, but it is smart to pay attention to your surroundings. When you are walking or first coming to a slot machine or table, take a quick glance around you. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, alert security or simply walk to another spot in the casino.

Chocolate Consulting is teaming up with internet security experts, VeriSign, to provide a plethora of security products for internet gaming. The software will protect gaming operators from costs related to denial of service and account takeovers.

The two products in development include:

• VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP)
• VeriSign Internet Defense Network (VIDN)

VeriSign Identity Protection or VIP is a real-time authentication system that safeguards player’s accounts from being hacked and controlled by third parties. Aside from the primary costs, it also helps online casino operators save money from having to conduct a thorough investigation of account takeover. This product is used worldwide in many other industries but is currently being tweaked for gaming.

The combination of trust from VeriSign customers and protection makes this an appealing option for casino operators. Chocolate Consulting is playing the role of advertising and marketing the product to online gaming sites. VIP will significantly increase the level of banking security that players are offered. A nice feature of the software is that it can be fine-tuned for mobile gaming applications without the need for additional hardware.

VeriSign Internet Defense Network or VIDN prevents Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on gaming sites. These attacks typically result in a few hours of downtime. In the competitive gaming industry, an operator can lose millions of dollars during these few hours. DDoS attacks have evolved so much that they cannot even be detected or prevented. In other sectors, VIDN has proven to be an extremely successful security measure.

The software has intelligent detection of DDoS attacks as well as remediation capabilities. Chocolate Consulting is also helping VeriSign to market this much-needed program. In the past six months, the number of DDoS attacks on gaming sites and intensity has increased considerably.

Chocolate Consulting and VeriSign have identified an area of online gaming that should have been addressed and evolved since conception. In addition to their partnership, together they are sponsoring the International Gaming Expo 2010 in London.

The result of the partnership between these two companies is an excellent, much-needed product for the online gaming industry. VeriSign is globally recognized as a name customers can trust. In an industry where large sums of money are flowing at all times, customers want to know that they are safe to play at certain websites. With the addition of the VeriSign logo, now they will gain peace of mind.

For the first time in over 25 years, the Tropicana Las Vegas is going through renovations. In July of 2009, the Tropicana officially pulled themselves out of bankruptcy. Since that point, management has spent a considerable amount of time and money upgrading the property.

The total cost of renovations is around $165 million. Areas that are part of the renovation include:

• The casino floor
• Restaurants
• Pool
• Hotel rooms
• Convention center

In addition to these upgrades, the Tropicana is planning on building a nightclub-pool attraction named The Mob Experience. This will contribute to paying off this once run-down property. Despite a decrease in revenue and room rates for the second straight quarter; renovations, marketing and advertising for the Tropicana Las Vegas have increased the number of weekend visitors.

From now until the end of 2010, weekend room rates at the Tropicana are between $99 and $229 per night. This rivals competitors rates found at the Luxor and Treasure Island. Normally, weekend rates at the resort linger between $129 and $159 per night. The highest rate of the year is $229 for New Year’s Eve and the final weekend of September when many conventions are in town.

Before the renovations, some rooms were as cheap as $38 per weekend night in 2009. This was on track with rivaling casinos like the Sahara and the Rivieria. The room rates in 2010 compared to 2009 were primarily attributed to a rise in weekend demand. This shows great promise for the casino industry.

The last time rooms at the Tropicana were renovated was in 1985. Recently, the casino announced that the renovation of the hotel rooms had been complete. They have been updated with a South Beach motif including new color patterns, carpeting, and furnishing. All rooms are equipped with brand new mattresses and 42-inch plasma televisions.

This has significantly increased online reviews thus improving bookings at the hotel. In addition to renovating the hotel, Tropicana upgraded its logo and marketing campaign to “We’re Changing Everything.” The hotel expects to complete the casino and floor phase of the renovations with an extended sportsbook including mobile gaming.

The Tropicana has certainly changed its reputation from an unclean, old casino to a modern, South Beach-style hotspot. Since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009, they have really hit the ground running and are on track to climb back into the black.