As could have been expected, the change in economic fortune is bringing with it a change in company policy. News from Leicester suggests that one casino is to move away from live table games to electronic versions and slot machines. Just over a month ago Gala Coral closed one of its two casinos in the city of Bristol with subsequent job losses and demotions. In a sign of the times Genting Stanley is now proposing a move to electronic gaming with a probable reduction in staff of around 35 at its Counting House Casino in Cank Street, Leicester.

In both cases staff are left feeling angry, worried and bitter. Of course as the economic situation starts to bite harder the gaming industry is not alone in shedding jobs and rethinking strategy, but when a company such as Genting Stanley reports that its Counting House Casino has been chosen to trial a new concept in its gaming business it is hardly surprising that casino employees are apprehensive. This new concept in gaming requires far fewer staff to run the operations.

Electronic poker tables are increasingly popular with casino management. The Excalibur in Las Vegas is the official field trail site in Nevada for PokerTek fully automated poker tables and the company is already installing its machines in poker rooms across the country where state regulators have approved the system. When casino operators can cut staffing levels it may be good news for their business but it is bad news for gaming industry workers.

A spokesman for the Gala Casino stated that the company had closed its Bristol casino because of the UK’s increased taxation, the removal of Section 21 gaming machines and a decrease in visitors following the smoking ban. These added to the economic downturn are likely to mean that the recent Gala and Genting Stanley moves will be echoed throughout the industry in a concerted effort to reduce costs. (E-10.13.08)

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