Managing a Casino floor during Covid-19

Here is a glimpse of what the  responsibilities are now during a pandemic. This is a dramatic change from March 12th. The parameters are in place to insure a safe gaming environment.

The protocols for wearing a mask, sanitizing your hands and temperature checks before entering the

venue are adhered to. There is an occasional  reminder to be given regarding the mask covering the 

nose but the guests and employees are compliant when ask to do so.

The challenges that present themselves are in the areas of social distancing. The players that come

with a group or companion still stay together in close alignment while near the games or slot machines. While they are doing what  seems natural, they are not exercising social distancing. This requires that 

the management team must politely request that some degree of separation must be maintain, especially around the table games. This provides a level of comfort for the staff that is dealing to the patrons.

The limitation on occupancy makes scheduling games and deploying staff a creative process. You are now going with the demand for play as oppose to offering a full compliment of all the games. If three  people are requesting a baccarat game and one person is requesting Three Card Poker, I can tell you without hesitation the game I am opening first. Certain slot machines are not operable to make social distancing a mandate.

There is more area to cover during the work day because the gaming floor is more spread out. Pre Covid configurations were based on games being adjacent to each other. Plexiglass shields and visors are available at each game. This is for the safety of the employees and guests. 

How should you manage a casino floor during a pandemic?  You should follow all of the things I mentioned above. In addition, look to be innovative in how you connect with your guest. Use social media to let them know that you appreciate their business and that you want them to know that. Maintain a staffing level that allows for flexibility and gives you the ability to react to the unforeseen.

                   

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The side effects of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino 40 days before opening

We are seeing the adverse effect that Hard Rock and Ocean Resort Hotel and Casino are having on the Mid Atlantic Gaming region prior to opening. This side effects will not diminish the magnitude of each property and their opening dates. We like the concept of both new properties opening on the same day. They have brought attention back to Atlantic City along with thousands of jobs and tax revenue.

The side effects are the secondary problems for casinos that operate in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Many workers at those facilities migrated to them when Revel, Showboat and Taj Mahal closed. Many still have residences in or near AC and were looking for an opportunity to return. This will create a deficit in the short term for casino operators in those aforementioned states. The positions that will take the biggest hit are food & beverage, player development and table games.

Another secondary effect is the anticipated entertainment that both properties will have. Ocean Resort will have Top Golf as part of their amenities. Hard Rock announced they will have over 300 diverse live performances. The experience of going to Atlantic City will trump the convenience of gaming locally in the short term. Since entertainment dollars are judiciously spent, customers will be selective about what acts and events they are going to see.

We will elaborate in a future post as to what alternative methods the casinos within 2 hours of Atlantic City can do to respond. A link to "Side Effects of You" by Fantasia is here in the meantime.

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