Wednesday, December 10, 2014

"If you want to make Money in Las Vegas, Stay Out of the Casinos!"

And he is correct.

Years ago, when I first moved to Las Vegas, a met with a broker who owned a local real estate firm. It was NOT affiliated with any national chains or franchises.  It was strictly a local company.

As we talked and I was trying to make up my mind about where to hang my Nevada Real Estate broker's license, we were discussing the topic on visiting the casinos. During the discussion, he brought up the fact that too many real estate agents would cash their commission checks at the casinos and walk away from their adventurous gambling spree broke once again.

And, to emphasize his point, he wrote the word casino on a letter size pad.  He then circled it while asking the question: "How do you make money in Las Vegas?"  He paused for a second to let me absorb the effect.  I was stunned and confused.  I was brand new to Las Vegas and the city still had the allure of gambling riches in my mind.  (This is the mind set of the majority of Tourists who visit here.)

I remember starting to mumble something, but he cut me off with the answer: "If you want to make money of Las Vegas, you stay out of the casinos!"*  He then struck a line right through the circle as in the international Do Not Enter Sign!

Point taken.

This is when I first heard the fact that the casinos are NOT built on winner's money.  The only entity that wins is the casino owner(s).

I have remembered that ever since.  And, because I have that thought deeply in-bedded in my mind, I have learned to ignore the casino allure.

However, there is money to be made in Las Vegas.  It might be a real estate property where you are only earning a 6% Cap Rate, but you are more likely to make money on that, than gambling.

A former casino manager (for 30 years) I have become friends with, attested to the fact that only the casino wins at gambling -- every time.  He told me one time that poker -- as in the World Series of Poker No Limit Texas hold em tournament, is 95% luck.

He said that the most successful poker players are just able to win 51% of the time.  Sure, that one time is a million dollar jackpot.  But, most are behind on their bills most of the time -- he said.

So, are you still thinking of coming to Las Vegas to gamble?  As I have stated above, the best gamble in Las Vegas right now is Commercial Real Estate (CRE).

Sure, the Return on Investment might be marginal as in a low Cap Rate, but IF the tenant is a National Credit Tenant, your winnings will still be greater then at the casino.

*This applies only to those NOT qualified to BUY a casino.  IF you can BUY a casino, then, you would more likely to be dealt the winning hand.

Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes

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