11 April, 2008
category: RFID
So much for heavy pours. Las Vegas casino-goers who hope that a generous tip will lead to an equally generous amount of liquor in their drinks will be disappointed, at least if one major casino operator has its way.
MGM Mirage now places RFID chips in the pouring spouts of its bars’ liquor bottles. The chips feed their collected data to point-of-sales systems as part of the resort group’s loss-control system, letting the bosses know if cocktails are not receiving the prescribed portions. Keeping tabs on each stray drop of booze is just a minor example of a major push to bring technological advances to the hospitality world – though with 55,000 employees serving tens of thousands of customers each day, the drinks add up.
MGM Mirage is exploring the latest applications of RFID technology in anticipation of its massive, $8 billion CityCenter complex opening next year. By its debut, not only will the liquor bottles and casino chips be tagged, but planners hope to also include the technology in room keys, so that they can keep tab on everything from guests’ T.V.–viewing preferences to their gambling habits.
Read the full story here.