Casino Loses Power When Backup Generator Isn't Maintained

A power failure can occur due to many reasons. Weather-related failures are a big factor. However, maintenance-related issues can cause a facility's power to fail as well. Potawatomi Casino recently experienced a maintenance related power failure, and it cost them. How much, read more!

Power Failure Causes Evacuation of Potawatomi Casino

Potawatomi Casino is in Milwaukee, WI. In late December 2019, the casino complex was evacuated because of a power failure. 

WISN (ABC) reported that a spokesman for the casino said, "There was a planned electrical maintenance exercise overnight. The backup generator did not kick in as expected. In the best interest of safety and security of our guests and team members, we evacuated the casino during the outage."
 
Power was lost at approximately 5:00 a.m. and restored at 11:00 a.m. The facility contains a hotel that was not impacted by the loss of power and remained open throughout the outage.

We Energy supplies utility power to the casino, and a spokesman reported that they were not aware of the outage, and it did not appear on their outage map for the first four hours of the outage.

Cost of Outages

While only casino officials know how much the downtime costs actually are, we can approximate the cost associated with a six-hour power loss. This estimation is from reported revenue published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on September 4, 2017.

Potawatomi posted the net amount lost by gamblers in the twelve-month period ending July was about $400,000,000. Boasting a daily amount of $1,095,890.41, and an hourly amount of $45,662.00. The total loss of gambling revenue for the six hour evacuation was approximately $273,972.60. This figure does not include some variables listed below:

• The cost of team member wages during the evacuation.
• Returning customers may be less likely to play electronic gaming or not return at all.
• Associated costs with the evacuation process during the outage.
• The figures above are just an estimate and could move thousands of dollars one way or the other. They in no way represent the actual amount lost by the casino.

However, the figures do represent the amount that can be lost by a large industry that depends on a constant, reliable power source. Changing the components of the equation for financial losses can allow calculations to be used with any business profile.

The first step in making sure backup or emergency power is available is to make sure the installed generator can meet all electrical requirements during the power outage. Basic maintenance will ensure a unit is ready when needed.

Generator Source has more than 40 years of experience. We offer both new and used generators. Click here to view our line of both new and preowned generators.

Maintenance & Testing for Indoor Emergency Generator

Maintenance and testing are two of the key concepts in obtaining reliable backup emergency power. The engine, radiator, and alternator (generator end) are the three main components of a generator.
Generators in an indoor application require supporting systems. The systems include fueling, cooling access, and exhaust. These combined components and systems can be thought of as a chain. If one of the links fail, the chain breaks and emergency power is not available during a utility power outage.
 
Maintenance

Generator manufacturers are required to create and supply maintenance requirements and repair procedures when the generator is introduced to the marketplace.
The requirements are divided into calendar or hours of use schedule. Both the engine and the alternator are included in the manufacturer's maintenance requirements.
 
Auxiliary or supporting system requirements for generators are supplied by the manufacturer. Maintenance of these systems is performed to system manufacturer requirements. Systems can range from fuel to cooling louver to Heat Exchanger (HEX) systems. Large systems can and paralleling and distribution equipment.
 
Testing

Testing is a critical step in any emergency generation system program. Completing appropriate tests can ensure the performance of the emergency generation system. The three fundamental tests are:
Generator Run Test - In this test, the generator is started and runs for a predetermined amount of time. Run time is generally determined by engine temperature.The generator is not loaded for this test.

Generator Load Test

An external load source is used in this test. The load bank is connected to the generator. Power to the building is not interrupted and the generator is incrementally loaded for an amount of time.

Complete Emergency System Test

Used in large systems that employ paralleling panels, distribution panels, fueling, cooling, and other equipment used within the backup power systems. Will identify if electrical configuration will be supported by generator configuration. 

Operational Checks

Emergency or backup generators are only used in the event of a utility power failure. Proper maintenance and testing procedures ensure the generator starts and runs on demand.

It is not uncommon for generator and auxiliary system parameters to be checked and recorded during operation. Hourly checks are commonplace. Hourly parameter readings can be used in maintenance trend analysis and inspections that can identify upcoming issues that need to be repaired during down-time.
 
Most every backup power system is different because of configuration and supply requirements. Maintenance and testing procedures must be geared to the application it serves. We are a full-service company and offer maintenance and testing services. Contact Us for more information.

What happens when a casino loses power?

• When a casino loses power, the following typically occurs:
• Backup generators usually kick in within seconds to restore power to critical systems
• If backup power fails, the casino floor is evacuated for safety reasons
• Slot machines and electronic games shut down, but retain player credits and game data
• Table games are paused until power is restored
• Hotel guests may need to be relocated if the outage is prolonged
• Casino staff work to secure cash and chips on the gaming floor

How long do casino backup generators last?
Most large casinos have industrial backup generators that can power the facility for 48 hours. Smaller casinos may have more limited backup power lasting a few hours.

What happens to slot machine credits during a power outage?
Modern slot machines use non-volatile memory to store player credits and game data. This information is retained even if the machine loses power completely. When power is restored, the machine will resume with the player's credits intact.

Can I cash out during a casino power outage?
Generally no. Without power, the casino cage and ATMs cannot process transactions. Players are usually asked to wait until power is restored to cash out any slot tickets or chips.

How do casinos handle jackpots hit during an outage?
If a jackpot is hit right as power goes out, casinos typically use security camera footage and machine records to verify and pay legitimate wins once systems are back online. Players may need to provide ID and contact information.

How often do casino power outages occur?
Full casino power outages are relatively rare, occurring maybe once every few years at a given property. Brief outages of a few minutes are more common but rarely impact operations significantly thanks to backup systems.