[BBMW]

Um, they've expanded to Asia, which was a smart move. And, even given the economic implosion, I haven't seen any large casinos closings in Vegas (and I'm not talking about the downtown dinosaurs).

If it weren't for the casinos, Vegas would be a two gas station town. Yes, they should try to move beyond them, but given their success over the last half century, it would have been tough to find a better industry to rely on. Remember that, until four years ago, gaming and construction (and the industries that support them) were essentially sucking up all the labor in Vegas, and the town was having exponential growth to keep up.

Originally Posted by eventusstultorummagister

The economic reliance on casinos in Las Vegas is near total because the community leaders put little effort into attracting other industries. They used political clout and legislative influence to grow into a multi-billion dollar industry. When the boom busted they initiated their exit strategy by relocating to Asia. Many who have worked for years in the casino industry literally walk on eggshells for fear of losing their jobs and being forced to reintegrate into society. It's truly sad to see people working in their 70's not by choice but by necessity. Dreams of a cushy dealer job are just that, get an education that provides viable job skills, the days of easy money are over.

[Sma123]

This is too funny! My husband has been a dealer for 8 yrs now. He is lucky enough to have a full time job, but doesn't make any thing close to Phei's estimate. With the economy where it is, he makes around $44k. Phei apparently assumes that everyine tips. That's soooo wrong. Even players that seek out my husband (b/c he is funny and likes to joke around w/ players) and win often times don't tip. He'll get players that buy in for $100 and leave with $2500 that will tip him $2 as they leave the table. A large proportion of players don't tip at all. If he was a Poker dealer he would most likely make more since they keep their own (alot of dealers are slugs and don't make anything)

[eventusstultorummagister]

Originally Posted by Sma123

This is too funny! My husband has been a dealer for 8 yrs now. He is lucky enough to have a full time job, but doesn't make any thing close to Phei's estimate. With the economy where it is, he makes around $44k. Phei apparently assumes that everyine tips. That's soooo wrong. Even players that seek out my husband (b/c he is funny and likes to joke around w/ players) and win often times don't tip. He'll get players that buy in for $100 and leave with $2500 that will tip him $2 as they leave the table. A large proportion of players don't tip at all. If he was a Poker dealer he would most likely make more since they keep their own (alot of dealers are slugs and don't make anything)

I agree, tip pooling is wrong.

[dynimagelv]

TIP POOLING has done MORE damage to Las Vegas then any other single factor. PERIOD....END of STORY.....-30-

[BBMW]

^
Uh, I think the housing crash, economic implosion has done more damage to Las Vegas than any other single factor. Tip pooling is an issue so minor as to really be a non-issue (to anyone other than dealers.)

[dynimagelv]

sorry BM....but Las Vegas had been hurt a LONG time ago....with a decline in customer service in the casinos.

[BBMW]

Sorry, but, by the numbers, no. It was booming until the economy imploded.

I know there are a lot fo people who didn't like what Vegas had turned into by the early to mid-2000's, but it was working, right until the rug got pulled out from under it, and, really, the rest of the country.

[dynimagelv]

sorry BBM.....the downfall was 1972 or so when the pushed tip sharing thru....the last NICE delear left that year cause he couldnt fight the slugs.

[BBMW]

So you're telling me the financial trajectory of Vegas from 1972 to 2007 was downward? What was the population of meto Vegas in '72, 400K maybe?

You probably thought Vegas had had it when Frankie, Dino, and the boys left the Copa Room.

[divadeluxe]

It's best to get into casinos that are just opening up (new casinos) for they are the only ones hiring full-time, & if you get into a great Company like Caesar's Entertainment, you're in there, as far as the money goes......Caesar's is opening up Horseshoe Caisno in Baltimore in 2014....Great money, lots of potential, but I wouldn't recommend living in Baltimore, it has a bad rep, maybe another part of Maryland.......Always check the internet for upcoming casino openings, especially with a company like Caesar's Entertainment.