Some industry analysts suggest that the diminishing profit margins have already discouraged casino companies from building additional hotel rooms, retail shops and other nongambling amenities. If the goal is to make gambling part of an overall tourism and economic development package, a tax increase may not be the way to go. The information is being kept confidential, she said, but the candor is a bit surprising in such a highly competitiveness business. Even the normally reclusive and secretive Imperial Palace owner Ralph Engelstad opened his books to USM researchers. The cooperation may be indicative of how serious industry executives consider the state Legislature's threat to increase their taxes.
Similar efforts are under way in Nevada and Louisiana.
As a customer might surmise watching the drop, casinos generate a lot of cash. But every move the workers make emptying the slot hoppers and bill validators is observed by surveillance cameras. And the jumpsuits have no pockets. While building a mountain of coins, casino managers believe every nickel counts.