Thursday, December 26, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Many Las Vegas casino workers looking forward to better times in 2003

Las Vegas casino industry employees working Wednesday shifts acknowledged that Christmas 2002 -- and 2002 itself -- was different.

Sure, the mundane duties, the everyday responsibilities were the same as other days, and other years.

But on the Strip and on Fremont Street, casino workers told a story of a tough year.

"But you do what you have to do, you know?" said casino hostess Nicole D'Acquisto as she handed beads to passers-by in front of La Bayou, the small downtown slot club where she's worked for eight months.

The lifelong Las Vegan said she enjoys her job and meeting people.

Not that she's planning on making a career of it.

D'Acquisto's supporting her family and putting herself through college, so she's thankful for the job, she said.

"I've got a kid at home, so you have to make the best of it," D'Acquisto said.

La Bayou pays her well, she said, and she occasionally gets a tip from a slot winner.

Shortly after starting her job, D'Acquisto got an up-close look at union rallies and a strike at the neighboring Golden Gate.

A number of casino transactions rocked downtown in 2002, although many workers weren't aware that their hotels were bought, sold or on the market.

The Plaza, Las Vegas Club, Gold Spike and Western were sold; the Lady Luck is slated to be sold and the Four Queens had its sale fall through. And state gaming regulators briefly shut down some of Binion's Horseshoe's table games and slot machines when the 51-year-old property's bankroll fell below state-mandated requirements.

"We don't pay any attention to that stuff," said one blackjack pit manager as he stood on Fremont Street, watching University of New Mexico fans whoop it up before their Las Vegas Bowl matchup later in the day. "If we need to know, they'd tell us."

Many workers limited their comments because of worries about saying something that might displease their employers or union officials, and almost all declined to be identified if they talked about wages, tips or working conditions.

One group of Filipino-American slot attendants at a downtown casino hugged each other as they prepared to begin a noon shift, wishing each other a Merry Christmas in their native tongue.

"Some of our friends lost their jobs, and we worry about our jobs, too," said one woman in her late 20s.

"A lot of families have only one income," said another. "And our tips have dropped off. When times are good, we make a lot more."

An MGM Grand security guard said he thinks the worst of the past 15 months is past, although fears of war and terrorist attacks aren't unreasonable.

"I had some friends lose their jobs (after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks)," the guard said. "A couple found new jobs or were called back, one girl moved back to California and my best friend's still out of work. But if he wanted to get a job, he could."

And prospects for 2003?

"Better," the guard said. "At least I hope so. As long as there's no war or no catastrophes, things are looking up."