As Las Vegas casinos struggle through the current economic downturn, we are likely to see more stories like this one:

The Rio is testing an opt-in mobile marketing campaign that sends customers text message alerts for real-time promotions to their cell phone during their stay at the hotel-casino.

Here is how it works: Visitors to the Rio text message the word "Rio" to a phone number posted throughout the property. The customer will then receive no more than 12 text messages during the next four days, the average length of a visitor's stay.

The customer also can send "stop" to the same number to halt the flow of messages.

The messages alert the customer to special deals, usually drink, food or show tickets at a discount.

Katrina Lane, vice president of channel marketing for Harrah's Entertainment, Rio's owner, said the company is trying to find a more direct way to communicate in a more real-time fashion and strengthen the property's relationship with the customer.

When marketing dollars are scarce, cost effective mobile marketing is essential. Read more @ Casino City Times.

Visit Club Texting to learn about mobile marketing solutions for the hospitality industry.