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Sharon Harris asks what can be learned from recent events in Las Vegas


t was unimaginable that on the very week our global gaming industry converged on Las Vegas for G2E, the unthinkable could happen. As many had already arrived, or were arriving, a madman shattered the Las Vegas allure on October 1.


While 22,000 were enjoying an outdoor concert


at the chic Mandalay Bay, shots peppered the crowd from the 32nd floor. Within minutes, dozens lay dead and hundreds were wounded, some with lifetime injuries.


Wynn called Las Vegas a “target rich” environment in November 2015 and recruited top law enforcement and military


consultants to formulate a security plan


With tens of thousands of G2E attendees in town, a


large group probably stayed at the Mandalay Bay. How does one react or prepare for this type of nightmare?


Over time, we have learned this mass shooter, who


killed himself rather than be caught, methodically planned every detail of the carnage. A rich, heavy gambler, he did not fit any “standard“ profile.


Ironically, my


Sharon Harris asks, should New Jersey oversee its budding marijuana industry in a similar way to gambling?


I 8 OCTOBER 2017 8 MAY 2022


t was a familiar scene, although much has changed in 44 years. Early in the morning on April 21, the lines began forming. They stretched around multiple blocks at 13 new state-sanctioned recreational marijuana (cannabis or pot) sales


Casino International article in September‘s G2E issue specifically focused on casino crimes. Ex-FBI agent Tom Raftery, one quoted source, warned that many within the gaming industry have not adequately addressed possible onsite terrorism.


Tragically, the


outlets in New Jersey. These new regulated dispensaries opened for business to those 21 and older. One cannabis shop is actually located in an industrial area 15 minutes from my house. Democratic New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has prioritized marijuana legalization for years. His goal? To make New Jersey the East Coast’s pot capital and earn millions in tax revenues.


Mandalay Bay learned otherwise and has now hired a


The media pictures and videos reminded me of another


grand opening on May 26, 1978. On that rainy spring night in Atlantic City, Resorts International premiered as America’s first legal casino outside of Nevada. After years of efforts and a poorly-worded 1974 public


referendum faced defeat, a revised public ballot question passed in 1976. The Casino Control Act’s wording and Resorts’ opening took 18 months. The momentous occasion brought out celebrities and


Image: Fannyes/Adobe Stock


prominent dignitaries, all “dressed to the nines.” The line of thousands, which included my sister Linda, her husband Bob and their friends, stretched down the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk.


Many question the relative ease in getting such an


arsenal to his suite. Conditions will certainly change since the bar altering our very behavior keeps shifting. So far, gaming has pretty much escaped these events, which is amazing considering these 24- hour businesses have dozens of open doors and entry points that never close.


New York crisis management public relations firm. The lawsuits against them are just beginning to determine possible negligence by security personnel.


It is long overdue for casinos to incorporate


terrorism preparedness into employee training. This killer brought guns into his hotel suite and installed cameras that monitored his room and the hallway. He then used heavy-duty hammers to smash the windows and take aim. Not that guests’ luggage or drawers be searched, but dozens of weapons take up a lot of space.


Lovin’ it on Phuket/Adobe Stock


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