Ok, One Last Time About the Atlantic City Casino Smoking Ban..

To the pundits, the readers, the members and everyone in between, there is no doubt where my opinion lies when it comes to the effects of the smoking ban on Atlantic City casinos. For those of you not intimately involved with the day to day routine of the Atlantic City New Jersey area, today officially, a suspension of that ban was created. The expected back lash or anti-smoking groups, labor groups and any one else that fits into that category of course is completely irate at this latest step back in there cause. I even heard on a local talk radio station today one caller trying to make the case that anti-smoking laws actually had little to do with contributing to the declining performance of the Atlantic City Casinos. She cited the fact that during the same time the Las Vegas Casinos, which do not have anti-smoking legislation in place, have also reported a decline of 22% during the same time period. No doubt her point being that, overall, the failing economy is the real monster behind all decline and unfortunately, the anti-smoking laws in the Atlantic City casinos is just a spurious correlation.

Well, first and foremost, as I start all my posts about this issue, I deplore smoking, have been personally effected by tragedy caused by disease to family members, and totally understand and agree that second hand smoke is a reality that exists. Then, as I also do, I have no choice but to acknowledge that with casinos and the market of consumer it attracts, an inconvenient truth is evident. With casinos come a whole type of personality. That includes, sad to say, people of vice and overindulgence. And yes, that includes smokers..Poker players like their cigars, old slot veterans love their long cigarettes. These people like to drink and smoke and that's just that.

The correlation of Las Vegas to what is happening in Atlantic City is very low. Yes, the economy is a part of both market's woes. Problem is Atlantic City's woe's started long before the economy's issues reared it's head. Between the smoking ban and increased competition from neighboring states, the effects came quick and powerfully.

So that's it. The ban is lifted at least for the time being. Let's see if the proof truly is in the pudding. 

Update on the Atlantic City Casino Smoking Ban..

It seems where ever you turn something is amiss. Whether it be the housing market, the stock market, the oil market, consumer confidence, etc, etc, etc, things aren't good. This leads me to a follow up on a discussion I started a few days ago in another post. Currently Atlantic City is preparing to pass legislation that will entirely ban smoking in all casinos. The case has been fought hard by public interest groups, health groups and employee advocacy groups. In the post I made sure to mention how much I truly sympathize with the destructive nature of smoking and the undeniable link between it and lung cancer and other fatal diseases. The casino employees further assert that having to work in an environment where patrons smoke makes them helpless to avoid the second hand effects. Further, legislative proponents make the argument that b/c New Jersey has a smoking ban in effect for all public buildings since April of 2005 that casinos shouldn't be exempt.

Here's the reality once and for all. When Atlantic City made the infamous decision to legalize casino gambling whether it was acknowledged or not, that a certain acceptance of what kind of market this would create, who was targeted and the ancillary side effects that come with casino gambling is not correlated with God fearing people at a quiet sleepy seaside town. It means attracting and serving people that thrive on excitement, risk, late nights, extravagance and quite frankly vice. Recently states such as Delaware and Pennsylvania have legalized casino gaming. Between this new competition and hampering legislation such as the smoking ban, the effects have been almost predictable. In the past year, every month has shown casino industry performance in Atlantic City down from the year before. As the employees chant for this smoking ban, they may not realize it, but they are also possibly chanting the loss of their livelihood.

I never thought that the casinos in Atlantic City could ever face negative effects. Obviously I was wrong. Everyone should take a step back and really think and analyze this situation. This is  a critical time for Atlantic City. The steps taken in the next few months will set a tone, good or bad, for a long time to come. 

We're Back People..

After a short recess brought on by powers beyond our control, The Casino Resort Fun team is back and better than ever...Here on Blogger. We won't get into the organizations or others that caused us issues, b/c in our opinion moving on is the best strategy. That's no matter if you're dealing with casino games of chance or dealing with life.

Well, all that being said, we'll begin this post with a quick note about the progressing story of the Atlantic City casinos. For those of you who aren't familiar with the situation, Atlantic City is facing a pressing vote that will make all areas of casino properties smoke free. Currently there is a delay by law makers on this very law. As of right now there is a partial ban on smoking in casinos. The following story gives greater details. Click here. The biggest issue behind this story is the effect that this legislation will have. On one side proponents of the bill are fighting for healthier work places for employees. On the other side, property developers and owners have spelled out what they feel is an inevitable negative side effect....Increasing decline in the regions casino industry. Problem is the latter is becoming a clearer reality.

The past few years between legislation such as smoking bans and increased competition from neighboring markets such as Pennsylvania and Delaware the effects have been felt in the Atlantic City casino market. Outspoken and well known casino developer and business mogul Don Trump Jr, has been saying for some time that such legislation, especially in the face of continued competition from neighboring markets would be catastrophic. Being a propopent of clean work place standards and also being personally effected by the effects of having had a family member die from lung cancer I find it difficult to have to admit the great Don is probably correct.

Atlantic City seems to be in perpetual and diametrically opposed positions against itself. From the beginning when casino legislation was first introduced city leaders, local citizen groups and developers have sparred over the optimal way to run the city. The result, in this writers humble opinion, lost opportunity to carve out a niche and create a strong unmatchable business environment. One that openly embraces the reality of a city that operates casinos, similiar to what Las Vegas has done. Since the 1970's a slow grind toward balancing community with industry have lead to the current siuation. What's worse is the region in general has really benefited from the casino industry. Actually the entire state. Millions of jobs, the creation of supplementary and complimentary industries that support the casinos, housing, etc, have come about as a result of the casino industry. What ominous possibilities come with declining competitive advantage in a state that has recently been rated as one of the most unfriendly pro-business states in the country. Only time will tell. My thought is if a laymen like myself can see the writing on the wall, wouldn't one hope that those in charge and "in the know" see it as clearly as me?

Well, we're glad we're back and be sure to keep an eye on our regular posts.