Costly mistakes you have made with gear...not at all parody

[The~Kid]

My main aversion to modelers is too many options. Take the AxeFX for example. Between all the amp models, pedals, and parameters you can tweak; I'd spend too much time diving into all that fiddling with shit than actually playing the damned thing. A profiler like the Kemper would be just as bad. Knowing myself I'd spend way too much time searching and collecting profiles than actually playing. Then there's the option paralysis side of it too.

For me to not get bogged with everything I'd want a modern Line 6 bean. Give me maybe 10 solid amp models max with all the fiddly details already set, then I might actually play the thing. It's why I went Synergy. Yeah there's a bunch of modules now, but I can buy just the ones I want. And the modules are straight forward; not a bunch of options to sit there and fuck around with instead of playing.

But if you wanted a practice amp and again an alternative to put less miles on the tubes..... It doesn't really make sense to get a Synergy for that. Plus one doesn't have to scroll into all the options and all that.

But I'm all for a NexGen/Helix quality Bean but simple as you said. In either case something like a Katana doesn't have a bunch of scrolling stuff either and the regular or Artist models are pretty decent too.

 

[Floyd Eye]

https://www.americangaming.org/new-...ing-remains-nearly-a-third-of-the-u-s-market/

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new analysis from the American Gaming Association (AGA) finds that Americans wager a total $673.6 billion annually with illegal and unregulated gambling operators, diverting activity away from licensed operators and denying communities critical resources that fund infrastructure, education, and public safety.

Driven by a sharp rise in illegal iGaming, expanding use of unregulated skill machines, and persistent illegal sports betting, the illegal market has grown 22% since AGA’s last report in 2022. Growth in the legal market in recent years has kept the illegal market’s share of total U.S. gaming revenue largely steady – with illegal operators capturing smaller shares of sports betting and iGaming revenue – but illegal operators still account for nearly one-third (31.9%) of the total U.S. gaming market.



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Those aren't casinos.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

https://www.americangaming.org/new-...ing-remains-nearly-a-third-of-the-u-s-market/

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new analysis from the American Gaming Association (AGA) finds that Americans wager a total $673.6 billion annually with illegal and unregulated gambling operators, diverting activity away from licensed operators and denying communities critical resources that fund infrastructure, education, and public safety.

Driven by a sharp rise in illegal iGaming, expanding use of unregulated skill machines, and persistent illegal sports betting, the illegal market has grown 22% since AGA’s last report in 2022. Growth in the legal market in recent years has kept the illegal market’s share of total U.S. gaming revenue largely steady – with illegal operators capturing smaller shares of sports betting and iGaming revenue – but illegal operators still account for nearly one-third (31.9%) of the total U.S. gaming market.



View attachment 457276
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Not sure what you're trying to prove here; unless you're just wanting to show off a lack of critical thinking abilities. Two short paragraphs about gambling stats and illegal sports betting with pictures of random kids playing cards in the park say nothing to a licensed operating casino letting a 14 year old on the floor to play slots and compete in poker tournaments.

 

[CDawg]

Not sure what you're trying to prove here; unless you're just wanting to show off a lack of critical thinking abilities. Two short paragraphs about gambling stats and illegal sports betting with pictures of random kids playing cards in the park say nothing to a licensed operating casino letting a 14 year old on the floor to play slots and compete in poker tournaments.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

But if you wanted a practice amp and again an alternative to put less miles on the tubes..... It doesn't really make sense to get a Synergy for that. Plus one doesn't have to scroll into all the options and all that.

But I'm all for a NexGen/Helix quality Bean but simple as you said. In either case something like a Katana doesn't have a bunch of scrolling stuff either and the regular or Artist models are pretty decent too.

I don't give a shit about putting miles on tubes. They're meant to be used, not sit in a box collecting dust. Plus it takes a lot of hours to burn out a tube, especially preamp tubes.

Read my post again. I said I know myself and would spend too much time messing with options. Synergy is better suited for my personal use. I wasn't talking about anyone else's experience.

The Katana sucks and sounds like ass. My Peavey Vypyr Tube 60 sounds better.

 

[Speeddemon]

My main aversion to modelers is too many options. Take the AxeFX for example. Between all the amp models, pedals, and parameters you can tweak; I'd spend too much time diving into all that fiddling with shit than actually playing the damned thing. A profiler like the Kemper would be just as bad. Knowing myself I'd spend way too much time searching and collecting profiles than actually playing. Then there's the option paralysis side of it too.

For me to not get bogged with everything I'd want a modern Line 6 bean. Give me maybe 10 solid amp models max with all the fiddly details already set, then I might actually play the thing. It's why I went Synergy. Yeah there's a bunch of modules now, but I can buy just the ones I want. And the modules are straight forward; not a bunch of options to sit there and fuck around with instead of playing.

I hear ya, so I still can recommend the Pod X3 bean... mainly because of that Soldano and Line6 Insane Gain models, that are pretty damn good.
The Pod XT missed those. The POD 2.0 had 'em, but it really sounds more dated and basic than the X3.
Yes, there are a ton of options, but not Axe FX-like. That's why I purposely stayed away from that and the Kemper as well.

It still has a premium spot next to my mixing desk (right above the Boss DR880 drum computer)

 

[The Polish Hammer]

When I was 7 and a half I used to smoke crack and impregnate ukrainian adult film actresses while waterskiing

 

[CDawg]

Those aren't casinos.

Not sure what you're trying to prove here; unless you're just wanting to show off a lack of critical thinking abilities. Two short paragraphs about gambling stats and illegal sports betting with pictures of random kids playing cards in the park say nothing to a licensed operating casino letting a 14 year old on the floor to play slots and compete in poker tournaments.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/othe...-gambling-spree/ar-AA2aqnwX?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Sydney's Star and Crown casinos fined after 16yo gambled multiple times​

Crown Sydney has been fined $1.75 million after a 16-year-old boy was granted entry to the casino's gaming areas on 19 occasions, given silver membership status, and illegally served free alcohol.

The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) revealed the boy used a fraudulent drivers licence to gain access to the Barangaroo venue between April and August 2025.


He was also let into The Star Sydney three times during that period, also using the fake ID.

The Star has been fined $500,000.

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/05...-fined-after-minors-allegedly-found-gambling/

3 Toronto-area casinos fined after minors allegedly found gambling: AGCO​

Three Ontario-based casinos, including one located in northern Toronto, are facing a total of $151,000 in fines for allegedly allowing minors to take part in gambling activities on their properties.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) says it investigated four separate incidents – two at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, and one each at Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort, claiming individuals under the age of 19 allegedly gained access to the casino floors and participated in gambling activities.

No additional details were provided as to how many individuals were involved or when the incidents took place.

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto was fined $51,000 for the infractions, while Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax were each fined $50,000.

“Ontario casino operators have an obligation to ensure minors are not able to access casino floors or activities such as slot machines or table games,” AGCO CEO Dr. Karin Schnarr said in a statement. “The AGCO will continue to monitor and hold all casino operators accountable for fulfilling this important role.”

The casino operator has the right to appeal the decision.

This is the second time in less than a month that the Woodbine-based casino has been slapped with a fine by the AGCO. On April 16, the provincial regulator fined Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $120,000 following allegations of cheating between dealers and a group of casino patrons.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ont...r-not-catching-underage-gambler-with-fake-id/

Sudbury casino fined for not catching underage gambler with fake ID​

Gateway Casinos in Greater Sudbury has been fined $12,500 after a 17-year-old was able to gamble on multiple occasions using a friend’s driver’s licence as identification.

The teen was caught after his mother called the casino and warned them that her son might be there to gamble using a false ID.

Gateway appealed the fine, arguing that it took reasonable steps to verify that the person was of legal age, and acted to remove him as soon as it was notified by the teen’s mother.

The incidents took place April 6, 7 and 8 last year, when the teen entered the casino four times to gamble. Surveillance video showed him entering the facility, Gateway staff checking his ID and allowing him to enter.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/casino-fined-for-underage-gambling-again-1.280283

Casino fined for underage gambling, again​

The casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is facing a charge of allowing a minor to gamble.

It happened less than two weeks after the casino pleaded guilty to a similar offence.

Police say they found a 13-year-old gambling in the casino over the Victoria Day weekend.

Casino Niagara was fined more than $100,000 recently for allowing a 14-year-old to try his luck.

Manager Jay Meilstrup says the casino is doing what it can to stop underage gambling.

View attachment 457292


https://casinobeats.com/2025/09/25/...ey-forge-casino-30000-fine-underage-gambling/

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Hits Valley Forge Casino With $30,000 Fine Over Minor on Gaming Floor​

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has approved a consent agreement fining the operator of Valley Forge Casino Resort $30,000 after a 13-year-old was able to access the gaming floor and gamble on slot machines.

The incident happened in November 2024, with the PGCB announcing the penalty on September 24, 2025. The decision comes just two months after the PGCB fined FanDuel and Rivers Casino for violations related to employee licensing and underage gambling.
According to the press release, the minor was on the gaming floor for more than six hours in the Boyd Gaming-owned casino and gambled on slot machines during that time.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/othe...-gambling-spree/ar-AA2aqnwX?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Sydney's Star and Crown casinos fined after 16yo gambled multiple times​

Crown Sydney has been fined $1.75 million after a 16-year-old boy was granted entry to the casino's gaming areas on 19 occasions, given silver membership status, and illegally served free alcohol.

The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) revealed the boy used a fraudulent drivers licence to gain access to the Barangaroo venue between April and August 2025.


He was also let into The Star Sydney three times during that period, also using the fake ID.

The Star has been fined $500,000.

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/05...-fined-after-minors-allegedly-found-gambling/

3 Toronto-area casinos fined after minors allegedly found gambling: AGCO​

Three Ontario-based casinos, including one located in northern Toronto, are facing a total of $151,000 in fines for allegedly allowing minors to take part in gambling activities on their properties.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) says it investigated four separate incidents – two at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, and one each at Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort, claiming individuals under the age of 19 allegedly gained access to the casino floors and participated in gambling activities.

No additional details were provided as to how many individuals were involved or when the incidents took place.

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto was fined $51,000 for the infractions, while Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax were each fined $50,000.

“Ontario casino operators have an obligation to ensure minors are not able to access casino floors or activities such as slot machines or table games,” AGCO CEO Dr. Karin Schnarr said in a statement. “The AGCO will continue to monitor and hold all casino operators accountable for fulfilling this important role.”

The casino operator has the right to appeal the decision.

This is the second time in less than a month that the Woodbine-based casino has been slapped with a fine by the AGCO. On April 16, the provincial regulator fined Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $120,000 following allegations of cheating between dealers and a group of casino patrons.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ont...r-not-catching-underage-gambler-with-fake-id/

Sudbury casino fined for not catching underage gambler with fake ID​

Gateway Casinos in Greater Sudbury has been fined $12,500 after a 17-year-old was able to gamble on multiple occasions using a friend’s driver’s licence as identification.

The teen was caught after his mother called the casino and warned them that her son might be there to gamble using a false ID.

Gateway appealed the fine, arguing that it took reasonable steps to verify that the person was of legal age, and acted to remove him as soon as it was notified by the teen’s mother.

The incidents took place April 6, 7 and 8 last year, when the teen entered the casino four times to gamble. Surveillance video showed him entering the facility, Gateway staff checking his ID and allowing him to enter.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/casino-fined-for-underage-gambling-again-1.280283

Casino fined for underage gambling, again​

The casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is facing a charge of allowing a minor to gamble.

It happened less than two weeks after the casino pleaded guilty to a similar offence.

Police say they found a 13-year-old gambling in the casino over the Victoria Day weekend.

Casino Niagara was fined more than $100,000 recently for allowing a 14-year-old to try his luck.

Manager Jay Meilstrup says the casino is doing what it can to stop underage gambling.

View attachment 457292

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That's Canada, not the US. Sucks that you guys have shitty security up there, but that's not surprising.

 

[CDawg]

That's Canada, not the US. Sucks that you guys have shitty security up there, but that's not surprising.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/caesars-fined-for-under-21-gambling/

Caesars fined for under-21 gambling​

Caesars Entertainment Corp. is paying the state a $100,000 fine to settle underage gambling charges, but may face a stiffer penalty if it happens again.

https://casinobeats.com/2025/09/25/...ey-forge-casino-30000-fine-underage-gambling/


The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has approved a consent agreement fining the operator of Valley Forge Casino Resort $30,000 after a 13-year-old was able to access the gaming floor and gamble on slot machines.

The incident happened in November 2024, with the PGCB announcing the penalty on September 24, 2025. The decision comes just two months after the PGCB fined FanDuel and Rivers Casino for violations related to employee licensing and underage gambling.
According to the press release, the minor was on the gaming floor for more than six hours in the Boyd Gaming-owned casino and gambled on slot machines during that time.


https://www.goerie.com/story/news/c...sle-downs-fined-underage-incident/6925483001/

Presque Isle Downs fined, security officer fired after underage women gambled at casino​

A night of gambling for two 19-year-old women in April cost Presque Isle Downs & Casino $17,500 and cost a casino employee a job.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced the approval of a consent agreement between the board's Office of Enforcement Counsel and PID LLC, the operator of the Summit Township casino, to settle an underage gambling issue at the casino on April 21.

Presque Isle Downs was fined $15,000 and agreed to pay $2,500 in costs after the casino allowed the pair of 19-year-old women to gamble for nearly two hours, violating state law that prohibits individuals under 21 from being on the gaming floor and gambling, the Gaming Control Board said on Wednesday.

https://www.mundovideo.com.co/en/am...nited-states-fined-for-letting-minors-gamble/

4 casinos in the United States fined for letting minors’ gamble​

Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington, Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Prairie Meadows in Altoona and Diamond Jo Worth Casino in Northwood, have been fined a combined $130,000 dollars by the Iowa Racing and Gambling Commission for gambling violations involving minors.

The properties were found to have failed to verify patrons were aged over 18 to access their gambling floors.

Racing and Gambling administrator, Brian Ohorilko, said the Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington allowed an underage male to enter the casino floor “unchallenged”. He was on the floor for 47 minutes and pulled a ticket out of a machine. “Based on a preponderance of the evidence, we felt the individual did gamble,” Ohorilko said.

Ohorilko said the casino agreed to a $30,000 fine. He said: “The normal fine for this is 20 (thousand dollars), but there were the aggravating circumstances of a lack of surveillance coverage, and the age of the minor elevated that fine.”

The Horseshoe Casino, a Caesars Entertainment-operated property in Council Bluffs, received two fines totaling $60,000. The first incident involved an underage female in January who entered the gambling floor with an adult: “gambled at a number of slot machines and was on the gambling floor for over 30 minutes”, according to Ohorilko.

Two months later, a 17-year-old girl spent five hours on the gambling floor and gambled during that time.

The Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel in Altoona, owned by Polk County and operated by a non-profit, 13-member board of directors, must pay a $20,000-fine for allowing an underage gambler to enter with two adults.

IRGC said the minor “was not challenged at the turnstile, had gambled, and was on the floor for approximately 60 minutes”. It said the individual was identified by another security officer who was conducting routine business.

The final venue fined is Diamond Jo Worth Casino in Northwood. The casino was fined $20,000 for allowing a minor to gamble for two hours. He was never challenged by casino personnel but was finally identified by casino staff before being asked to leave.

Ohorilko pointed out that the violations were the first for all four properties in the past nine months. He didn’t specify if the fines had already been paid, or if the casinos are challenging them.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/caesars-fined-for-under-21-gambling/

Caesars fined for under-21 gambling​

Caesars Entertainment Corp. is paying the state a $100,000 fine to settle underage gambling charges, but may face a stiffer penalty if it happens again.

https://casinobeats.com/2025/09/25/...ey-forge-casino-30000-fine-underage-gambling/


The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has approved a consent agreement fining the operator of Valley Forge Casino Resort $30,000 after a 13-year-old was able to access the gaming floor and gamble on slot machines.

The incident happened in November 2024, with the PGCB announcing the penalty on September 24, 2025. The decision comes just two months after the PGCB fined FanDuel and Rivers Casino for violations related to employee licensing and underage gambling.
According to the press release, the minor was on the gaming floor for more than six hours in the Boyd Gaming-owned casino and gambled on slot machines during that time.


https://www.goerie.com/story/news/c...sle-downs-fined-underage-incident/6925483001/

Presque Isle Downs fined, security officer fired after underage women gambled at casino​

A night of gambling for two 19-year-old women in April cost Presque Isle Downs & Casino $17,500 and cost a casino employee a job.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced the approval of a consent agreement between the board's Office of Enforcement Counsel and PID LLC, the operator of the Summit Township casino, to settle an underage gambling issue at the casino on April 21.

Presque Isle Downs was fined $15,000 and agreed to pay $2,500 in costs after the casino allowed the pair of 19-year-old women to gamble for nearly two hours, violating state law that prohibits individuals under 21 from being on the gaming floor and gambling, the Gaming Control Board said on Wednesday.

https://www.mundovideo.com.co/en/am...nited-states-fined-for-letting-minors-gamble/

4 casinos in the United States fined for letting minors’ gamble​

Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington, Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Prairie Meadows in Altoona and Diamond Jo Worth Casino in Northwood, have been fined a combined $130,000 dollars by the Iowa Racing and Gambling Commission for gambling violations involving minors.

The properties were found to have failed to verify patrons were aged over 18 to access their gambling floors.

Racing and Gambling administrator, Brian Ohorilko, said the Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington allowed an underage male to enter the casino floor “unchallenged”. He was on the floor for 47 minutes and pulled a ticket out of a machine. “Based on a preponderance of the evidence, we felt the individual did gamble,” Ohorilko said.

Ohorilko said the casino agreed to a $30,000 fine. He said: “The normal fine for this is 20 (thousand dollars), but there were the aggravating circumstances of a lack of surveillance coverage, and the age of the minor elevated that fine.”

The Horseshoe Casino, a Caesars Entertainment-operated property in Council Bluffs, received two fines totaling $60,000. The first incident involved an underage female in January who entered the gambling floor with an adult: “gambled at a number of slot machines and was on the gambling floor for over 30 minutes”, according to Ohorilko.

Two months later, a 17-year-old girl spent five hours on the gambling floor and gambled during that time.

The Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel in Altoona, owned by Polk County and operated by a non-profit, 13-member board of directors, must pay a $20,000-fine for allowing an underage gambler to enter with two adults.

IRGC said the minor “was not challenged at the turnstile, had gambled, and was on the floor for approximately 60 minutes”. It said the individual was identified by another security officer who was conducting routine business.

The final venue fined is Diamond Jo Worth Casino in Northwood. The casino was fined $20,000 for allowing a minor to gamble for two hours. He was never challenged by casino personnel but was finally identified by casino staff before being asked to leave.

Ohorilko pointed out that the violations were the first for all four properties in the past nine months. He didn’t specify if the fines had already been paid, or if the casinos are challenging them.

It's entertaining watching you go so hard trying to validate Kid and prove he was hitting the slots and competing in poker tournaments at 14. I have better things to do with the rest of my weekend. But you have fun with that Captain Wiki.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Let’s see. What’s more likely. A casino would risk massive fines and being shut down to allow a cigarette smoking teenager to play poker and offer him booze or The kid is full of shit, you know, like he is 99% of the time ?

Believe what you want Dawg.

 

[CDawg]

It's entertaining watching you go so hard trying to validate Kid and prove he was hitting the slots and competing in poker tournaments at 14. I have better things to do with the rest of my weekend. But you have fun with that Captain Wiki.

Don't get upset for being wrong all the time Disney Princess. Sounds like you've been sheltered from the realities of life if you don't believe underage gambling exists.

It's very easy to use a google search. Nice moving the goal posts country by country until it no longer fits your agenda. Can't be Australia, Canada, Kenya, Philippines, etc.; has to be USA for your bubble boy lifestyle. Then when it's USA you cry like a bitch.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Let’s see. What’s more likely. A casino would risk massive fines and being shut down to allow a cigarette smoking teenager to play poker and offer him booze or The kid is full of shit, you know, like he is 99% of the time ?

Believe what you want Dawg.

The plausibility of Kids story he was on the casino floor and placed 11/10,000 in a poker tournament as a young teenager is almost non-existent. I'll leave it at that. If @CDawg wants to continue wasting his time on it he's more than welcome to keep doing so.

 

[CDawg]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ex-gambling-addict-reveals-hooked-32587180

Ex-gambling addict reveals he got hooked playing slot machines at just eight years old​

 

[Floyd Eye]

The plausibility of Kids story he was on the casino floor and placed 11/10,000 in a poker tournament as a young teenager is almost non-existent. I'll leave it at that. If @CDawg wants to continue wasting his time on it he's more than welcome to keep doing so.

He don’t believe that. He pretends to for reasons that I guess are his own.

 

[Fusionbear]

Wow, this thread changed drastically since last night!

In all seriousness, my costliest mistake was selling my no-stripe 1985 MKIII Coli to fund a Quad/Strategy setup. The Coli may have not been as versatile, but it sure sounded and felt better than that rack setup. I already had a TC2290 and was running in stereo with a Carvin power amp into another MESA full stack. The Coli with its own MESA stack. This is the rig I used with the band Blacksheep. Probably the best rig for hard rock and metal I ever had...

 

[CDawg]

He don’t believe that. He pretends to for reasons that I guess are his own.

There's lots of children who have been caught gambling illegally in casinos that made the news all around the world including USA. Convictions, pictures, testimonials, video, etc. showing children gambling illegally.

I wonder how many children didn't get caught gambling illegally.

Yes it's a minority of children gambling illegally but it's still happening even according to your narrow criteria. Nevermind all the children buying gift cards to use for online gambling because that's not good enough for you. It just had to be the casino specifically. Then it just had to be USA casinos for the goal post moving power bottom Disney Princess.

When I'm proven wrong I don't get upset. I learn from it and move forward. The truth is the truth.

 

[Floyd Eye]

There's lots of children who have been caught gambling illegally in casinos that made the news all around the world including USA. Convictions, pictures, testimonials, video, etc. showing children gambling illegally.

I wonder how many children didn't get caught gambling illegally.

Yes it's a minority of children gambling illegally but it's still happening even according to your narrow criteria. Nevermind all the children buying gift cards to use for online gambling because that's not good enough for you. It just had to be the casino specifically. Then it just had to be USA casinos for the goal post moving power bottom Disney Princess.

When I'm proven wrong I don't get upset. I learn from it and move forward. The truth is the truth.

You think a teenager was allowed in a poker tournament in a casino ?


Apparently you aren't following along. The kid claims to have done this. In California. The only one moving goalposts to other countries and other venues is you.

 

[The~Kid]

It's entertaining watching you go so hard trying to validate Kid and prove he was hitting the slots and competing in poker tournaments at 14. I have better things to do with the rest of my weekend. But you have fun with that Captain Wiki.

I played poker online since at the Casino the dealer probably would have said something..... At the casino I played slots since there isn't a dealer there or anyone really checking anything.


Its not so hard to walk into a Casino at 16/17 if you are taller and can pass it off, as said I was smoking cigs too and was even offered drinks sometimes when I was winning