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“achieving excellence through talent, technology and diversity.”
She said, “We must embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) across the agency. DEIA must be demonstrated by all employees-leading by example-through every action every day.” Wrong! Her mission should have been to “achieve excellence through technology and talent,” no matter the job or who was in position.
Incredibly, Cheatle never visited the attempted assassination site herself. Nine days later, she failed to answer dozens of Congressional hearing questions. The public demanded her firing or resignation. Cheatle quit the next day, but shockingly, faced no disciplinary consequences despite the death of one, injury of two and the near-fatal bullet to Trump.
The sequence of events remains unclear. Can you imagine this unaccountability in the private sector? Casinos must constantly answer to regulators and customers. That same day, a Pittsburgh casino hosted First Lady Jill Biden’s small fundraising dinner with a comparatively
disproportionate secret service presence. The 24-hour nature of casinos only emphasizes how vital excellence is in all areas. Should there be a check list determining the personnel hired to protect customers? Conditions can quickly turn tragic like the 2017 Mandalay Bay mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Security breaches can also happen on a small scale. In mid-June, a woman in a Reno, Nevada casino climbed on the craps table and began throwing chips at bystanders and casino staff. Security intervened until the police arrived. It seems ridiculous, but started me thinking. What happens to the chips and money on the table? What if this lunatic had a weapon, or worse, and resisted arrest? What if there was chaos in the crowd that sent panicked customers running and screaming? That is no time for a politically
correct workforce, but for the best group to be found.
The examples of urgent situations, demanding skilled professionals, within a casino setting are almost unlimited. Is there a comprehensive medical team on site? Are all health regulations and standards followed in the restaurants to ensure food safety? Are parking areas ideally laid out to ensure secure passage?
I am curious about the craps table jumper. I want to follow up, and hopefully get answers, for an upcoming column. How do casinos formulate a security plan? What happens to the money thrown all over the floor? Can the overhead cameras reconstruct the scene? Admittedly, no one can envision every event.
In closing, I have a relevant follow-up to a 2023 column. Remember I reported on Bud Light beer’s enormous marketing mistake
when it partnered with Dylan Mulvaney? The transgender social media “influencer’s” female image appeared in an updo hairstyle, makeup and jewelry on Bud Light cans to honor “transitioning.” The immediate backlash crippled sales and devastated distributors. Parent company Anheuser-Busch lost billions in stock value. Bud Light had held the #1 spot nationwide for decades, but its recovery has proven impossible.
A year later, the Wall Street Journal reports Bud Light has lost its top spot to Modelo Especial and Michelob Ultra. Bud Light is down in sales, thanks to a self- inflicted wound by inept managers. The moral of all these stories? Stop trying to be hip and trendy while losing sight of the important things like reaching an audience and providing the best of service, no matter who is in the position. Offer equal opportunity for accomplishment, not outcome.
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 International predecessor EUROSLOT magazine in 1994.
International, Sharon has chronicled the explosive growth of U.S. gaming and reported on its most 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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