STATESIDE
Is this a permanent situation… who knows? As more pharmaceutical companies enter the weight-loss industry, a heavier population will surely use them. I’m only sorry they weren’t around years ago.
Taffer offers wise advice to casino, tavern and restaurant operators. Cut the calorie count, reduce prices and attract a different customer. Offer tropical fl avoured non-alcoholic drinks as alternative options to upsell lower-priced beverages.
Another possibility is linking special beverages to promotions, a natural for casinos. Taffer says few presently have defi nite solutions, so targeting the food/bar category is unchartered territory. While that business solution is ‘iffy,” where consumers eat, drink and gamble may be more predictable if competing venues adapt. Religious faith is another factor. What? After Covid-19 caused global havoc in 2020, millions of Gen Z consumers-born 1997 to 2012- chose a quieter religious life. The Catholic Church is especially seeing a resurgence. Many younger U.S. believers say American Pope Leo is relatable as he encourages them to pray rather than drink. Nationwide, look for relocation trends to become permanent. People may pay attention to the big picture but will always focus on their individual family’s expenses and living conditions. California and New York-with the highest populations-continue to face a residential mass exodus. “People are voting with their feet.” In February, business journalist Sophia Compton reported a spike in high-net-worth Californians eyeing Las Vegas. Why? It’s simple. The largest moving companies confi rm that Californians are heading to Nevada for lower taxes, fewer regulations and a less frenetic lifestyle. Democrats control California politics. For years, lawmakers have tried to impose high “wealth taxes,” although California already imposes huge income, gas and property taxes. Los Angeles homelessness has exploded, but average home prices still top $1M. Compare that to Las Vegas, with a median home price of $465,000. Nevada also has no income tax.
On the East Coast where I live, I’ve described the mass movement from fi nancial, educational and cultural hubs like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, to name a few. Everyone’s life hits a point when enough is enough and it’s time to go.
Where are these millions enjoying a fresh start? Movers are heading south towards fi nancially friendly Florida, Texas, Tennessee, the Carolinas and many others. I know dozens of people who have totally relocated to Florida, or become legal six-months residents, to avoid northern income taxes. The impact on gaming? Retirees with disposable incomes spend more money. Florida’s Seminole Tribe casinos have benefi tted. Population losses in high-tax states erode political infl uence. New York Governor Kathy Hochul-a glaring example-has changed her tune too late. In 2022, she defi antly stated “patriotic” New Yorkers leaving for Florida, or Wall Street corporations relocating to Texas should fund New York’s social programs “values.” By March 2026, facing the state’s catastrophic realities, she publicly urged “high-net-worth” former New Yorkers to return and fund her spending choices.
Forget it, Kathy. It’s not happening. Few, if any, will move back. For me, Hochul’s not a responsible steward of the people’s money.
Yes, Bally’s, Resorts Worlds and Hard Rock received New York City casino licenses, but they
had already promised billions. MGM pulled its bid, citing what they considered negative economic conditions.
I hope other states can save themselves. If they do, every casino nationwide may survive and thrive.
Now that’s a trend I could support. Sharon Harris
Sharon has worked in the casino and coin- operated amusement industries since the 1980s. In the early 1990s, Sharon transferred her public relations and journalism skills to the gaming industry. She wrote her fi rst feature for Casino International predecessor EUROSLOT magazine in 1994.
As Associate Editor, North America for Casino International, Sharon has chronicled the explosive growth of U.S. gaming and reported on its most signifi cant changes. She has traveled across America to participate in dozens of industry events and has interviewed
hundreds of gaming operators,
executives and suppliers.
BMM qp strip CI
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