Casino workers latest losers in industry's hard times

I use this article from America for two reasons,One is that most of the information coming out of the USA is how well the ban is doing,and I like the title "latest losers."
The second is an insight into what will happen over here with our betting shops and bingo halls,basically,in a nut shell,many will close. Those who love a gamble and a fag may be encouraged to gamble on line fuelled by cheap supermarket booze,and also gamble far more than they can afford.
So,for some people,the smoking ban will encourage people to drink more in home and gamble more-are the health facists aware of this? You bet they are,they have the drinkers in their sites,probably next on the hit list and once gambling is predominantly on line,they should be able to either tax it more or,if they are very puritanical,ban it-fight this smoking ban now,its the tip of the ice berg for freedom to choose.


Casino workers latest losers in industry's hard times
Friday, August 24, 2007
BY JUDY DeHAVEN
Newhouse News Service
Competition from surrounding states and a partial smoking ban has taken a toll on the Atlantic City casinos. And now it's hitting the workforce.

Resorts and the Hilton, both owned by Colony Capital, confirmed yesterday they were offering buyouts to managers in an effort to avoid layoffs. Employees are being offered one week's pay for every year of service, with a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of 26 weeks, as well as accrued vacation time and medical benefits through Oct. 31.

The news comes less than a week after the New Jersey Casino Control Commission released second quarter results that showed gross operating profits -- a widely watched figure in the industry -- plunged 19 percent.

All 11 casinos reported year-over-year declines, but Hilton was hit hardest, with a whopping 44.9 percent drop. At Resorts, gross operating profit fell 15.5 percent.

Net revenue citywide fell 6.1 percent to $1.2 billion.

"The Atlantic City casino industry is facing its most difficult economic times since the inception of casino gaming," Tony Rodio, Regional President of the Atlantic City Hilton and Resorts Atlantic City, said in a prepared statement. "Increased competition in Pennsylvania, New York, and other nearby states, coupled with the devastating impact of a 75 percent smoking ban in the casino are factors which has the industry on pace for its first-ever year of revenue decline.

"In fact, we estimate that this partial smoking ban has resulted in $1 million in lost revenue per month at Hilton and Resorts combined," Rodio said.

Throughout the city, casinos have been scaling back, mostly through attrition. But none has come close to the Tropicana, which, according to the Casino Control Commission, has laid off nearly 800 people since a new owner, Columbia Sussex, took control in January.

Rodio said Hilton and Resorts are trying to avoid mass layoffs.

"We have and we will continue to explore every way possible to protect our employees' jobs during these times," Rodio said.

"By allowing employees to take advantage of this program, we hope to be able to prevent future reductions in staff."
http://www.nj.com/business/times/index.ssf?/base/business-2/118792856345430.xml&coll=5