There is no one reason for the declining casino revenues. WBGO-FM Newark reported:
While some might not call it a slump, there have been definite downward trends for Atlantic City casinos this summer. Joe Weinert is the Senior Vice President of the casino consulting firm, Spectrum Gaming Group, and he says fewer gamblers are willing to risk filling up their tanks for slot machines and games of chance. Weinert says some casinos are adding more rooms or resort amenities like spas and shows to attract visitors in the future � but he says there’s little they can do to fix the problem in the interim. Weinert says gamblers in the metropolitan area would rather spend their money closer to home at other casinos where they have less strict smoking rules and electric game tables
Nearly everyone, except Atlantic City’s City Council, see that a smoking ban leads to decreased casino revenues. The citizens of Atlantic City and South Jersey absolutely depend on the stability of casino revenues for our current level of prosperity. City Council is intent on hindering the casinos ability to do business. The City Councilmen and Mayor should be as aware of the threat of foreclosures and the nation-wide economic slowdown as citizens are. Atlantic City government’s best move to help every person’s economic outlook is to stand-up to UAW labor union and give casinos the ability to permit smoking in their establishments.
Competition is developing in the surrounding areas. Regional competition is skimming Atlantic City’s patron base. Smart government would bring additional tools to our casinos, for them to successfully compete for patrons. The current City Council unanimously tied the casinos hands with the support of Mayor Scott Evans.
July 21, 2008 at 2:22 pm |
Jesse: How ingenius of you to post this rhetoric and false accusations. Nearly everyone agrees that city council did the right thing in passing 100% smokefreecasinos for the health, safety and welfare of its patrons and employees. Something you may want to consider in your pee-brain, is that gamblers will gamble whether they can smoke or not and 80% do not smoke. The national and international trend is towards a smokefree society and your inept reporting and miscontruing the facts is what sets our society backwards not forward.
The 80% of non-smokers will embrace the change on oct 15th and the smokers will bellyache as you do, but continue to gamble and patronize ac. Delaware, PA and NY are all on the same page as NJ and the rest of the world for smokefree society. Why don’t you get with the program dude, and stop whining??
July 21, 2008 at 3:14 pm |
Danny, truth is neither a popularity contest, nor determined by the whims of an angry mob. When the anti-smoking rabble packed City Council chambers, I was the only person to speak against the smoking ban. The smoking ban is indication of how much people like you would rather have government-control, than personal freedom.
It is a bad business model to create policy that alienates twenty percent of your patron base. How much money does a smoker gamble, compared to a non-smoker? I do not know that answer. Do you?
How many employees will be laid off, who used to service smoking gamblers? How many dollars will not enter the local economy, or state and local government?
I will never get with the program of government eliminating civil liberties, property rights, and the freedom to conduct business. You and your fellows can cheer the government as it takes more and more of our freedoms. I would prefer if you moved to a country founded on your nanny-state ideas.
July 21, 2008 at 3:28 pm |
Danny, who are you to tell a private business how to operate? The only way you should be able to do that is to start you own.
July 21, 2008 at 6:33 pm |
So, the question reverts back to one of health or greed. Since the issue has been decided, I don’t feel inclined to spend much time here but anyway,..
Cecilia, regarding the regulation of a private business, all private busnesses are subject to some kind or even many kinds of regulation. The difference between those and that of the casinos is that the casinos operate as government granted monopolies. This permits the government even more discretion to issue regulations.
Remember, the casinos are experiencing a decline in revenue. They are not losing money.
In my own decision to reduce my trips to A.C., i have done so because of general economic conditions — gas, milk, bread, coffee and so forth. I gambled when there was smoking and I would have gambled with non-smokinng as a condition but I am no longer confident about my economic future. I believe many other patrons are deciding to stay home with economic considerations as their main focus.
Since the new regulations are not even in effect yet, it is clear, smoking has nothing to do with the decline in casino revenue.
Finally, if the city council loses its backbone I hope the union reacts with the only logical response: Strike for Health.
July 21, 2008 at 7:43 pm |
Jesse: You were the only person to speak out doesn’t make it right that you were in the minority. The casinos have had it their way for 30 years with killing others with secondhand smoke and not doing the right thing. Government control? Nobody controlled the rights of non-smokers for all those years; but regulated the rights of smokers to kill themselves as well as others around them without questioning it. Bad business is alienating 80% of the patron base, not the relatively few 20% who will continue to gamble nonetheless in a safer healthier envirnoment. You and yourself can stew all you want about civil liberties and your antiquated non-argument. We don’t cheer the government, we cheer a clean, safe, healthy, smokefree workplace to live longer and work longer. I would prefer if you stayed here in this country so we can all get a good laugh at your complete lunacy.
Cecilia: Who am I ? I am a tax payer, casino employee who has worked over 20 years in the casino industry and don’t tell anyone how to run a business any more then you do with your civil liberty bs! I dont need to start a business, which maybe i already have…to be able to go home without the high dangers of secondhand smoke which you never seem to mention.
July 21, 2008 at 8:33 pm |
First of all, the issue of smoking in the casinos will be forgotten in the next few years to come, just as everyone acclimated to non-smoking in the restaurants, nationwide, not just NJ. Secondly, blaming your violation of civil liberties is a terrible argument as you want government to help you, but then you blame then for controlling you when you want to pick and choose how they can do so. Wrongo, Jesse and company.
You were the only one to argue against the smoking ban because you wanted the attention, and didn’t have any valid reasons for doing so.
You should be alittle more positive, Jesse, and be happy for the thousands of lives that will be saved over the generations, instead of playing the blame game, it gets really old.
July 21, 2008 at 8:40 pm |
Smokers Rights? Okay, so that would be a group that has its own rights. So, why can’t you understand Non-Smokers rights? Or is it just a one way street, Jesse? Do u want ALOT of attention? Too bad you didn’t win your silly argument at council. Keep trying, you will continue to make a fool out of yourself as you always do. Smoke around the kids too, so they can be sick from secondhand smoke, makes alot of sense.
July 22, 2008 at 7:55 am |
How many employees get laid off every month? How many employees were laid off at Tropicana? That had nothing to do with a smoking ban. You are blowing smoke in the wrong direction Jesse. To put blame on a health issue is simply idiotic and you know it.
I can cheer government if they act responsibly and save lives..which you miss that point entirely you fool.
July 22, 2008 at 1:36 pm |
How about the rights of a business to set their own policies? How about liberty and freedom, the way our country was founded. If non-smokers don’t like it, they don’t have to go into a business that allows smoking. And workers don’t have to work there! It’s no secret that smoking has always been allowed in casinos, so if you don’t want to work in that environment, don’t apply!!! It’s the anti-smoking nazis that are ruining this country.
Personally, I have never smoked and I don’t like to be in places that allow smoking. I can understand government offices, public places where you are required to go. But private businesses should have the right to offer smoking or not.
July 22, 2008 at 2:58 pm |
Dave202, thank you! I thought I was the only person here still believing in American principles. Unfortunately, our government has ceased to respect private property and the rights of business. We have an uphill battle to restore business rights and individual liberties.
John Caffrey, when you boil the subject down to health or greed, you overlook the obvious. The subject boils down to the government babying the citizenry, or treating us like adults capable of making decisions for ourselves.
Employees are free to negotiate with their employers for a smoke-free environment. If the employer continues to allow smoking, get a job elsewhere, or better yet, start your own business. You, the labor unions, and the anti-smoking nazis harness the power of government to bully people in to your subversive way of thinking.
Rick, your insults and semantics are ridiculous. All citizens, both smokers and non-smokers, have rights by virtue of their citizenship. Why are you intent in denying business owners the right to decide if THEIR business will allow smoking? Why are you intent in denying people the ability to choose if they will patronize a smoking, or a non-smoking establishment?
No one is forcing people to work in a casino that allows smoking. If smoking bothers an employee, get a job elsewhere. Stop trying to conform the world to your master vision. You know who else tried to conform everyone and thing to their master vision of the world? Your buddies Adolf, Benito, Mao, and Josef.
July 22, 2008 at 3:01 pm |
Danny, I would love to see the mass graves of the numerous victims of second-hand smoking. Can you show me? Or is it more true that there has never been a scientifically established death from second-hand smoking?
Ethel, you are right. People will be conditioned to think that government-imposed smoking bans are normal. People will forget that smoking bans were ever controversial. I will not stop reminding people that government should not impose smoking bans on private businesses. Hopefully, one day I will count you as a friend in the battle to repel our ever-pervasive government.
July 22, 2008 at 6:45 pm |
Don’t get discouraged, Jesse. Most people have grown up with the government taking care of them and their needs, so they don’t understand concepts like “liberty,” “freedom” and “personal responsibility.” That way, the government can begin to take over all aspects of their lives and they’ll welcome the rape of their lives.
July 23, 2008 at 11:36 pm |
The casinos saw a drop in revenue because of the 25/75% law and that was before the first PA casino opened. That is when the casino lay-offs started. From what I have heard many of those now going to the PA casinos are smokers that preffered their laxer rules.
As far as the rest of the country and world. Many places in this country have seen what has happened to AC and modified proposed laws to accomidate smokers. Countries in Europe have also relaxed some of their regulations because of lost income.
One of the places mentioned as a success was Ireland where the non-smoking people point out they had an increase in revenue in pubs. But they fail to mention that a huge percentage of pubs, and the people working there, closed. Or that the increase was 0.01% after there was a 15% increase in prices. And that many of the pubs still in business have depended on moving outdoors, where smoking is still permitted.
As my non-smoking boyfriend has pointed out. If non-smoking business’ were so viable why do they need a law. They should have been flourishing without any anti-smoking law.
And finally can anyone explain to me why the same group of liberals are pushing for legalised pot at the same time they want to ban tobacco?
July 24, 2008 at 4:14 am |
Jesse: that is so pathetic and heart-less of you to even suggest that nobody ever dies or is sick from secondhand smoke. Just talk to someone who knows of a relative who has passed from the lung cancer that was caused by your heartless smokers. You obviously weren’t listening at the city council meetings of the obituaries that are monthly of those loved ones who worked in the casino industry and suffered in silence. Well, no more, Mr Civil liberties wanna be!! Oct 15th it is over!!
Go smoke and choke you loser.
July 24, 2008 at 5:01 am |
Jesse———no way will u Ever have me on your side of the smokers rights. what about nonsmokers rights? liberty, freedom, civil rights? does that just apply to a select few that you decide to choose who they are?
And as far as people choosing to work where smoking is allowed….everyone that worked on airplanes, which are smokefree, are afforded the smokefree job, as are every other job in new jersey, so why should casino employees be any different?
Jack: i agree with you, health over greed!
July 24, 2008 at 9:50 am |
Yeah Jessie, business should be able to enjoy their liberty to do whatever they want for their customers without government intervention. I plan to open a whorehouse on the Boardwalk. There are many customers who want to buy sex. In fact, I plan to have underage girls and boys available for those Megan’s Law convicts who want a place to enjoy their pleasures. I plan to serve crack cocaine, heroin, and other drugs that my customers desire. And because I am a private business, I expect you to stand with me to protect my liberties from any government intervention. Hey, I will even comp you for your first date and you can light up while being serviced!
July 24, 2008 at 11:06 am |
Nice analogy, Joe, but totally wrong. Apples and oranges. Prostitution, underage sex and drugs are illegal. Last time I looked, smoking was legal. Therefore, businesses should not be forced to prevent people from doing something that is legal.
And it’s not “Greed over health”… It’s all about jobs. Once the full smoking ban is imposed, hundreds will lose their jobs. And most of those people probably didn’t care about smoking. It’s the tiny minority of people who have the biggest mouths who are responsible for this travesty.
And if you don’t like smoking in your workplace, find a place that bans smoking. As you say, there’s plenty of them around. You knew smoking was permitted when you took the job so stop your whining.
July 24, 2008 at 1:56 pm |
Dave:
Apples and oranges are fruit. The Law in NJ is no-smoking indoors. The “exception” for the casino floors was extended to them so that they could phase it out, which they agreed to do with City Council. You sound like McCain’s no-longer adviser Gramm with your no whining crap. Lets get you into a hospital with lung cancer and see if the nurse can hear you whining.
July 29, 2008 at 10:32 pm |
Oh Holier then thou, mr civil liberties jesse “i think i know it all becuz i used to debate in school” Kurtz…..lol what a joke?
The casinos had it “THEIR” way for 30 years and killed enough people with their allowing smoking. Remember when you could ride on a plane and smoke? Or a bus? or walk through a public building or yes, even a restaurant?
Are those facilities suffering? Can you look at any other point of view besides civil liberties? Your right to smoke ends at my friggin nose, mr stubbornness! And think of all the lives being saved, think of all the children NOT Exposed to secondhand smoke on buses, airplanes, in restaurants…..and as far as the casino goes, it is good riddance for the 80% who don’t smoke and the many smokers who are trying to smoke. The entire country of FRANCE is smokefree, and 80% of them were approving of it. Great Britain has had more then a million people quit smoking since their ban. So, get your head out of the sand Jesse, and wake up to reality and as things can be better, not just whine and whine over your poor civil liberties.
As for people finding another job…tell that to someone whose livelihood is only the casino and why should they have to look elsewhere? They are the 44,000 plus casino employees who keep these halls moving and working.
You lose.
July 29, 2008 at 10:41 pm |
Jesse:
Give atlanticare cardiology dept a call and ask them how many deaths have occurred from secondhand smoking? Ask them if 400,000 people die each year from smoking/tobacco related illnesses?? you may want to spend some time in a nursing home or hospital too.
you are heartless.
July 29, 2008 at 11:24 pm |
Jesse, looks like your respondents, who are supposed to be so compassionate, are instead filled with hate. Maybe it’s because they expect the government to take care of them cradle-to-grave, and it’s not happening. But if enough of us stand up for freedom and liberty, perhaps they’ll understand the concept of personal responsibility.
July 30, 2008 at 7:43 am |
Jesse,
Bottom line, you lost! Neah, neah!
July 31, 2008 at 11:00 pm |
correction Dave202: the respondents mostly are filled with secondhand smoke from the casinos…not hatred. Freedom and libety includes that freedom of speech to express our point of view that you and Jesse don’t agree with because you are against non-smokers right…only defending the cancer-producing tobacco industry.
August 25, 2008 at 3:11 am |
As a smoker and gambler I understand both sides. I just think there could of been a comprimise. I stopped going to AC as much when they did the partial ban. The smoking section machines were to crowded and the non smoking sections were empty.
With the full ban looming I won’t make my 4 trips a month from Baltimore anymore. I will fly to Conneticut casinos once a month instead.
If casinos thought a non smoking ban would of increased their bussiness they would of done it themselves years ago. Hey i don’t like perfume can we ban that.
August 25, 2008 at 1:45 pm |
Good post, John. Very rational and even-handed.
Maybe they can come up with some bogus research on how sniffing second-hand perfume will cause cancer too! Or maybe you sniff cocaine and blame it on perfume! Yeah, that’s good excuse!