communication rights

I have noticed that my cell phone will not get any signal for sending or receiving calls while in two certain casinos. However, it works fine in their hotel or anywhere else outside the casinos. I heard that they block the signal. Is this true? This doesn't seem right. They should at least be required to post a disclaimer to the patrons. Doesn't seem like it should be legal to block a person's right to communicate with a cell phone. What about possible emergency calls?

That they deliberately block the signal.

I think it is largely interference from the slot machines, etc. Try moving around in the casino. YOU may get a signal in another location.
I have a poor signal in most casinos.

moving around. There is just no signal at all while inside. Outside or in the hotel is a full signal. One of the casinos was MGM, I think.

I used to have AT&T. It was the lowest rated provider according to a recent Consumer Reports study. I had trouble receiving and sending calls in a few casinos. I had no service at all at my residence. Then I switched to Verizon. Absolutely no problems at all. I have service at home and in all casinos, including MGM.

Neko

SB,

Quite strange you're having this issue. In 2002, SpectraSite wired the Mirage with 38 wireless cell antennas above the casino floor. Today, there are over 600 of them (no bigger than a 3x5 card) linked together across the big MGM emporiums known as the Grand, NYNY, Bellagio and Mirage. The idea is to keep people in the casinos instead of forcing them outside.

In regards to MGM Grand, I have talked on my cell phone (non-GSM) from the lobby all the way to the bridge to NYNY without any service degradation or interruption. Actually, my cell phone has worked perfectly on the casino floor in all MGM properties.

As mentioned by MathProf, it could be interference. I would tend to think there's much RF, concrete and steel in those joints. Check with your carrier. Are you roaming by chance when you're in Vegas?

toddler

Stealth Bomber,

If you ever visit the Treasure Chest in Kenner, LA (just outside of New Orleans), you'll see a large sign prohibiting patrons from carrying cell phones onto the gambling boat. I have no idea how strictly this ban is enforced: the guards weren't exactly frisking the patrons at the entrance when I last visited.

Dog Hand

A casino banning cell phones forces patrons to go outside of the casino to make/receive calls, or else go to pay phones within the casino.

MGM, et al. got it right by trying to make it EASIER for patrons to use cell phones inside the casino, not force them to leave. A casino manager who bans patron cell phones must be an idiot. Being afraid that someone may use a cell phone in a manner detrimental to the casino is insufficient grounds to inconvenience many regular patrons. I hope casinos that have such a stupid policy see a large reduction in their profits because of the unnecessary inconvenience their extreme paranoia causes their patrons.

It also happened the other day in an Indian casino. Maybe it's just a coincidence. Non-the-less, it is a prop tool I use with my wong-out act. I'm just worried that they will bust my act if I'm pretending to talk on a cell phone for which they have already blocked the connection to the extent that it is impossible to call from inside their casino.

have added cellphone tower repeaters inside the casino to get better coverage for users.

Cellphone signals, especially digital ones (which are lower power than analog), have a tough time penetrating big concrete and steel structures. My cellphone signal is about 1/2 inside of my home what it is in my driveway.

I find people who use cell phones at the tables an utter nuisance.It shows a total disrespect for others.

Francis Salmon

"A casino banning cell phones forces patrons to go outside of the casino to make/receive calls, or else go to pay phones within the casino."

A patron receiving phone calls is forced to go home (to his wife, who's making the call!).

Which effect do you think is bigger?

Lefty

PS I agree with Francis. Besides, there's plenty of time to yammer on the cell while driving one's SUV in front of me, in the left lane of the highway, going 45mph, doing nails, ....

Some of the casinos (such as the one ET Fan mentioned) are banning the possession of cell phones inside the casinos. That is because some of them have cameras, and they are afraid to have pictures taken.

That is different than not allowing phone calls. Most of the casinos I know ban the use of cell phones while at the table.

If this happens in the future, I will investegate further.

I had suspected this. IE at the MGM Grand, where we stayed, my cell phone (Verizon) worked perfectly on the floor. Dealers generally didn't want cell conversations from an active player, but if my wife was "hunting me" I could step back from the table and talk, and at most tables I could talk while playing.

In the Beau in Biloxi my phone hardly works.

One thing for certain, they can _not_ jam signals. FCC would be pissed beyond belief for that. Of course, these things (Casinos/hotels) are huge, with lots of Rebar, wire mesh, pipes, wires, AC, and all sorts of other interference. If they don't want to help, they don't have to of course, but they certainly can't interfere with the signals. Also, my verizon phone is all digital. My brother's wife had an analog/digital phone and had better luck on the MS coast, probably due to more interference from all the slots with their microprocessors producing digital RF interference.