p16 Stateside 23/12/08 09:24 Page 12
STATESIDE
Stateside
Times are hard – but it’s about time so-called ‘experts’
took the gaming industry seriously, says Sharon Harris
H
appy New Year! Wow… another year His challenges will be massive as the US faces
gone by. Where does the time go? I unprecedented obstacles. Before the election, one
attended the November G2E show in Las political commentator said that when it was over, the
Vegas, and happily saw business being “winner” may actually envy the “loser”.
done, orders being written and old We will have a complete rundown of how an Obama
friends on the job. Show organizers, the American administration may impact the gaming industry in our
Gaming Association and Reed Exhibitions, reported February issue. It will address the political, legal,
an attendance of 26,500 professionals from 89 Native American, financial and labor issues as they
countries – a 12% drop from 2007. A record 335,480 affect gaming.
square feet of space housed 724 exhibitors, including I recently watched a cable news panel of political
117 from countries outside the US. pundits whose conversations during the campaign
It was around the city that I sensed the tough clearly demonstrated they knew virtually nothing. Why
economy. Even the “recession-resistant” gaming do these shows always utilize “expert” managers and
industry is facing crushing financial realities. strategists who have worked for losing campaigns?
When I arrived on Monday at 6:30pm – hardly the They were discussing the possible collapse of the
middle of the night – the airport quiet was palpable, three big American auto makers – General Motors,
with light customer traffic at security, the baggage Ford and Chrysler and its potential consequences.
claim and the car rental center. I had the same One commentator lamented that while cutbacks and
Not surprisingly,
impression in town throughout the week, reflecting a layoffs at either a television network or a casino may
steady slide in revenues. be tough, the three million directly and indirectly
the Las Vegas
Not surprisingly, the Las Vegas statistics proved affected by the fall of the auto industry will devastate
statistics proved
what I witnessed. The October 2008 figures were the the American economy.
largest monthly drop – 22.3% – in Nevada history. Where has this guy been? The latest data from the
what I witnessed.
Ironically, the October 2007 data reported the American Gaming Association (AGA) states there are
The October 2008
largest monthly win in state history. almost 361,000 employees working for commercial
Like much of Nevada, Las Vegas is a prisoner of the casino properties. That figure does not include
figures were the
airplane or auto gas tank. Although oil prices have Indian gaming and other peripheral gaming
largest monthly
plunged since summer, people are reluctant to spend enterprises, which add tens of thousands more.
to travel to Las Vegas. Those giant luxury hotels are However, that is only part of the picture.
drop – 22.3% – in
built for tourists. Also, the Nevada home foreclosure Thousands of tangential jobs depend on a thriving
Nevada history
rate is about the worst in the US, with more people gaming industry. These include state and federal
leaving and fewer moving in to work. regulators, enforcement personnel and technicians,
This situation is not limited to Nevada. This pivotal the gaming equipment manufacturers, thousands of
year affected politics, plus gaming’s economic large and small business suppliers, professional
situation. 2008 began far better than how it ended. accountants and attorneys, construction workers and
Obviously, the biggest news is the November designers, research and development teams, etc. The
election of Barack Obama as the next American list goes on and on, but I suspect it comes very close
president. While much of the US and the world to the statistics of those affected auto workers.
appear to be ecstatic, I guess I’ve been around or If those Washington power brokers – many lacking
involved in the political process through business too management backgrounds or experience in meeting a
long to swoon. In my world, I award accolades once payroll – view gaming as a dispensable industry, then
promises are actually fulfilled. I am willing to let gaming will suffer. We must better educate the public.
bridges or roads be renamed and holidays declared While gaming is not a necessity like driving a safe
only after the achievements. vehicle, its proliferation since 1978 ranks it as
Truthfully, my original candidate did not make it to important as other giant industries. Many
the final two. So, like dozens of people I know, my municipalities and tribal lands depend on gaming for
enthusiasm was somewhat muted as I made my their livelihoods.
choice in the voting booth. For the good of my We have our work cut out for us in 2009, but I
country, I hope that Obama succeeds. believe the industry is up to the task.
16 JANUARY 2009
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