I just experienced this at one VP bar at the Rio.As long as you are playing,drinks flowed and the bartenders didn't care if you took a break from the monitor to watch tv,go to the bathroom,chat with someone next to you etc.

This really is meant to shut out the people who slide up to the bar-put a $20 in,get a drink and then cash out $19.75 and walk away...
I am on the casino's side of this to a point.