Multi-Property Casino Comp Bank Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-property casino player club systems face logistical challenges in managing both visible and invisible comp accounts across affiliated properties, requiring improved flexibility to minimize communication needs and maintain autonomy for individual properties while aggregating and redeeming comp points efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A multi-property comp bank system with two accounts per patron - a visible, redeemable account and an invisible, discretionary account - using regional computers to aggregate and manage comp points across properties, allowing for flexible redemption and minimizing inter-property communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single enterprise-level comp account is used across all properties, then comp aggregation and redemption flexibility are improved, but communication complexity and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comp account into two distinct accounts: a visible comp account accessible to patrons and a non-visible comp account accessible only to casino personnel. This segmentation allows each account type to serve its specific function independently, reducing the complexity of managing a single unified account across all properties while maintaining the benefits of enterprise-level comp aggregation and redemption flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If visible comp accounts are made accessible to patrons at all properties, then patron convenience is improved, but comp point aggregation and property autonomy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides comp points into visible and non-visible accounts, allowing patrons to access and redeem from visible comp points at any property while non-visible comp points remain under casino control. This enables property autonomy in managing discretionary comps while maintaining patron convenience through wide accessibility to visible comp points.
Solution Approach 2:
Different types of comp accounts are provided with different access qualities: visible comp accounts are accessible to patrons across all properties, while non-visible comp accounts are accessible only to authorized casino personnel. This local quality differentiation allows the system to simultaneously provide broad patron accessibility and maintain property-level control over certain comp functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comp programs operate at individual property level, then property autonomy is maintained, but comp aggregation and enterprise-level redemption are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting comp accounts into visible and non-visible types, the patent enables individual properties to maintain autonomy over non-visible comp management while efficiently aggregating visible comp points across the enterprise. This segmentation allows comp aggregation at the enterprise level without compromising property-level control and autonomy.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-property comp bank allows comp points to be earned and redeemed in an aggregated manner at a plurality of affiliated casino properties. The comp bank includes a first bank account of comp points for each casino patron having a balance that is visible to the patron, accessible by the patron, and directly redeemable by the patron, and a second bank account of comp points having a balance that is invisible to the patron, accessible only by authorized casino employees, and redeemable on a discretionary basis only by authorized casino employees. Each award of comp points is apportioned between the patron's first and second bank accounts according to a predetermined ratio. The comp points in the first bank account can be aggregated across properties and redeemed at any property, whereas the comp points in the second bank account can be redeemed only at the property where they were earned.