Dennis Conrad

Dennis Conrad is the former founder, president and chief strategist of Raving Consulting Company. He is a Casino Marketing Lifetime Achievement Award Winner and the creator of The Table Games Conference and the Best New Table Games Competition. He is now an independent gaming consultant working exclusively under the Raving banner. He can be reached at (775) 329-7864; or by e-mail at dennis@conradworks.com.

Cover Story

Following the veteran tribal casino leaders

Three longtime tribal casino operators reflect on their careers, the current state of the industry and the traits needed to succeed in the Indian gaming space

Dennis Conrad

April 19, 2019

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Pam Shaw. Bryan Hayes. Michael Peters. You may not know these names, but I assure you they are among the most talented, effective and insightful Native American casino executives in Indian gaming today.

Conrad on Casino Marketing

A lifetime of casino marketing learning in 1,600 words (Part II)

Dennis Conrad

February 21, 2019

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In my Casino Journal column last month, I began to share what I have learned in my nearly 45-year career in the gaming industry. I made the case for fun. In this month’s column, I share seven more key learnings from a career in gaming spent watching, listening, challenging, questioning, and in many cases, screwing up.

Conrad on Casino Marketing

A lifetime of casino marketing learning in 1,600 words

Semi-retirement is interesting.

Dennis Conrad

January 27, 2019

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It is a fluid process—sometimes I feel more fully retired, but at other times, not so retired at all. Through it all, I know I am very fortunate, not “having to” work and being able to take work that stimulates me, is important or innovative and is done on behalf of a very small group of clients that I feel really appreciate my candor and perspective.

Special Section: Table Games Conference

The Case for Craps

As casino operators evaluate numerous new table games and side bets to find more profits, a big revenue opportunity is sitting right under their noses with craps

Dennis Conrad

November 28, 2018

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Having dealt craps, taught craps, supervised craps, run craps promotions, counseled inventors of new craps game variations, consulted with craps operators and having played craps for over 40 years, I don’t believe that craps is a dying table game. On the contrary, I believe it's a sleeping giant.

Marketing: The Dennis Conrad Signature Series

Underappreciated Casino Initiatives

Dennis Conrad

October 8, 2018

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While the staunchly anti-gaming coalition would disagree with me, the casino industry has done numerous good things for its customers and the communities that it serves.

In Memoriam

Felix Rappaport 1953-2018

Felix Rappaport was my friend…. thousands of people, I’m sure, would say the same thing.

Dennis Conrad

August 14, 2018

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Felix passed away recently, a heart-wrenching, unexpected shock to all those friends. With no disrespect for many people that I admired, and learned from, in the gaming industry, Felix was the best leader I ever saw. Every executive who ever worked for him would run through walls for Felix.

Special Section: Marketing Technology

The impact of tight slot machines on casino marketing

Three long-time casino observers delve into the “loose vs tight” slot hold debate and the impact it is having on game players and property marketing

Dennis Conrad

July 24, 2018

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In the early days, casinos didn’t screw around too much with a slot machine’s hold percentage. The technology wasn’t ready, most gamblers were table game players and, frankly, most slot operators didn’t know how to execute or analyze hold percentage changes… it was just too much dang trouble.

Marketing

The ways to have a successful casino

Dennis Conrad

June 20, 2018

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I have been to hundreds and hundreds of casinos in my 45-year gaming career, and I wagered in most of them. I have watched casinos open, close, and then open again. I have seen giant casino companies gobble up the world, spin off “orphan properties” and then get gobbled up themselves.

Marketing

My next table games contribution

Dennis Conrad

April 12, 2018

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For the past two decades, I have had the honor of having my column appear in Casino Journal. Over that time, I have tried to maintain two standards with every column I have submitted.

Marketing

Casino executive pop quiz

Dennis Conrad

January 15, 2018

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The best thing about being “semi-retired”, is that I can be very picky about which gaming clients I will work for. Now I don’t want this to sound elitist, but I figured, what the heck, if I’m going to keep consulting, I’d better make sure I damn well enjoy it.