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STATESIDE
Stateside
Sharon Harris celebrates 30 years of gaming for
Atlantic City, the ‘great lady’ of US vacations
H
appy anniversary Atlantic City! The gaming taxes to their individual jurisdictions. A
seaside resort celebrated 30 years of proposed federal gaming tax under the Clinton
legalized gaming in late May. There were administration in 1994 was defeated, thanks to the
lots of festivities to commemorate the AGA’s earliest efforts at its formation in 1995.
milestone event, particularly at Resorts Overall, the industry generated $34.13 billion in
Atlantic City, where it all began. gross gaming revenues, with decreases reported only
One famous photo shows dozens of eager potential in New Jersey and Missouri. The remaining 18 states
customers waiting to enter on opening night. A good with some form of gaming all enjoyed increases.
friend’s mother had elbowed her way up front to be Mississippi had the largest increase – 16.2 per cent –
one of the first players. Doris loved slot machines then, as casinos began reopening after the total
and well into her 80s now, she remains a loyal patron. destruction of the Gulf Coast casinos from Hurricane
How has the business changed? How is business Katrina in 2005. The inland venues had survived.
conducted, using the innovative technology of three Approximately 54.5 million Americans made 376
decades? I remember thinking that answering million casino trips, an increase of five million from
machines and VCRs were hot news. I could record my 2006. Almost 90 per cent of Americans now believe
favorite show, and my social life improved. it is acceptable to go to a casino and gamble.
Has Atlantic City accomplished its goals? The Casinos visits are more frequent among American
quick answer is “yes”. Gaming has delivered on many men (31 per cent) than American women (25 per
of its pledges, but has also faced significant snags cent). Most visitors – 32 per cent – came from the
along the way. What about the rest of the US? Did West Coast, with the Northeast reflecting the smallest
Atlantic City motivate other jurisdictions to enact share, 19 per cent. The demographics match the
gaming legislation or improve what they had already? population as a whole. The median age of adults in
Thirty years is a blip in history. However, both the the US is 46; the median gambler’s age is 47. The
Money talks, and
American and global cultures have changed, and educational level breakdown of average Americans
gaming now enjoys the benefits of a world that has and those who gamble are almost identical.
the AGA report
evolved into a more accepting, less structured place. Ironically, while the Las Vegas Strip and Atlantic
estimates more
Before 1978, Nevada and the Caribbean were the City rank first and second among the “Top 20 U.S.
only jurisdictions for legalized gaming activity for Casino Markets”, the other four major Nevada
than $53 billion
most Americans. People traveled great distances to markets rank 9, 10, 16 and 17. The rest are located
have been made
play their favorite slot machine or table game. throughout the South and the Midwest. That speaks
However, from coast to coast, sea to shining sea, the well for the attitudes of mainstream Americans
in nationwide American landscape has radically changed. towards gambling.
capital
The American Gaming Association (AGA) recently
investments for
released the 10th edition of its fabulous annual State A remarkable statistic is the attitude regarding
of the States analysis of the commercial gaming gaming’s impact on local communities. More than
commercial
industry. The American gaming industry is divided two-thirds (69 per cent) recognize the widespread
gaming.
into two distinct segments. The commercial gaming economic benefits of gaming in the community. They
industry includes all land-based, riverboat and acknowledge gaming brings jobs, services and
racinos at racetracks. Money talks, and the AGA indirect business growth. Almost 90 per cent also
report estimates more than $53 billion have been want state autonomy to regulate and operate gaming.
made in nationwide capital investments for As someone whose family regularly visited Atlantic
commercial gaming. Tribal gaming, including both City and watched the “great lady” of vacation spots
Class II and Class III slot machines, is ranked deteriorate in the 1960s and 1970s, congratulations
separately (see note below). to “her” for the makeover and motivating other places
In 2007, the commercial American gaming industry to also chart new courses.
also boasted the following:
A total 467 gaming properties employed 360,818 EDITOR’S NOTE: A full report on the current status
people, earning $13.8 billion in wages. of Atlantic City, Nevada and Indian gaming is available
The U.S. industry paid $5.79 billion in direct on the upcoming Casino International calendar.
10 JULY/AUGUST 2008
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