Tioga Downs Casino and Resort

The dealers were great, calm and professional, and clearly used to watching hope drain away. I even felt like the blackjack table was offended by my decisions. The place looks immaculate, with all the lights and bells, and people winning just often enough to make you think you're due. I definitely wasn't. I showed up at Tioga Downs Casino with a positive attitude and a fully funded bank account. I left with a free soda, some emotional growth, and about $3.17 worth of dignity. The machines felt like old friends who owed me money, while the slots and tables tempted me in. Before long, Tioga Downs had moved my funds into its infrastructure improvement program. Would I come back? Absolutely. I just need to change my strategy, apparently. If entertainment, adrenaline, and donating to the casino sound good, bring a budget and maybe a ride home.

I stopped in recently for a lazy day out. It was easy to settle in, with a comfortable, laid-back feel, and the staff were welcoming. They were especially patient about explaining games if you don't know how to play, which made it feel approachable. I had a burger at the restaurant. It was good and came out fast, though the service could be better. A nice way to pass the day if you want something simple and enjoyable.

My daughter and her boyfriend rented a room for two nights last weekend. In the very early morning, her phone fell beside the headboard. When she reached for it, she found an adult toy there. Maybe that happens, but it was gross. She told housekeeping, and the employee laughed, picked it up barehanded, and said they just zip in and out and don't clean down there. My daughter pointed out that changing the sheets would have caught it, but got more laughter. She went to the front desk and was laughed at again, then dismissed. She's only just old enough to rent a hotel room and asked me if this was normal. I told her no, then called the hotel and asked for management. I explained that we weren't amused: the item goes inside people and could have had bodily fluids on it, and the housekeeper touched it with bare hands before handling doorknobs and her cart without washing. The desk attendant agreed we had reason to be upset and said management would call me as soon as possible. That was four days ago, and I've heard nothing. The silence makes me think they don't care about the mess. I keep wondering how often they don't change the sheets, and who touched that doorknob after the housekeeper. I hope she washed or sanitized her hands before eating or touching elevator buttons and other things. Adult toys can have bodily waste on them, including feces or blood. I'm beyond disgusted, and the lack of any follow-up is even more disturbing.

It's okay, nothing special, and way out in the middle of nowhere. I wasn't keen on the food options. The buffet wasn't too bad, but I wouldn't go back. It was $50 for a mostly American menu with little outside that. The bathroom is outside the restaurant, so I left early to use it. I guess crab is their main thing and the big expense, but I can't eat it. After playing for eight hours and losing $5,000, I should at least get something to eat for $50. The free play was only $10, which is very little.