Gamblers don`t stop for Christmas
Grandma has foresaken the kitchen for the gambling table on Christmas Day in Nevada. "They do come out gaming," said Tom Schact, a keno supervisor at Harold's Club, one of the largest casinos in the state. "The, whole family comes, grandmother, father, mother and the older kids." Nevadans say the state's 24 hour-a-day, 365-days-a-year gambling industry never comes to a stop. If it ever does, a reporter's walking tour between 9 and 10 a.m. Thursday indicates the yuletide holiday isn't when it happens. At Harrah's, blackjack players took up every one of the half-dozen or more seats on the rim of a couple of dealer's tables. At least every fifth slot machine was in use. Outside along the sidewalk in front of Reno's casino fronts, the ring of the jackpot bell was persistent. So was the clink of more coins dropping. Schact, who has worked in the state's gaming houses for 22 years, said Christmas Days once were quiet.
But he said the last four or five years have been busy and says people don't feel the stigma about gambling on Christmas that they did 20 years ago. Schact aad fellow keno supervisor Carl Remero say customers are more jovial and better tippers on Christmas Day. "They're more willing to buy drinks for each other," Romero said. A shiny pot from a tea service sat on a tray on one of the green-covered blackjack tables in the Money Tree Casino, where a customer seated on a bar stool was having a leisurely breakfast. Slot department manager Al Bushgens said some of the steady customers contribute to the warm feeling in a casino on Christmas Day. Depending on the economy, the weather and other factors, holiday business is often very good. Inexpensive meals and bigname entertainment bring out some customers, he said.
But he said the last four or five years have been busy and says people don't feel the stigma about gambling on Christmas that they did 20 years ago. Schact aad fellow keno supervisor Carl Remero say customers are more jovial and better tippers on Christmas Day. "They're more willing to buy drinks for each other," Romero said. A shiny pot from a tea service sat on a tray on one of the green-covered blackjack tables in the Money Tree Casino, where a customer seated on a bar stool was having a leisurely breakfast. Slot department manager Al Bushgens said some of the steady customers contribute to the warm feeling in a casino on Christmas Day. Depending on the economy, the weather and other factors, holiday business is often very good. Inexpensive meals and bigname entertainment bring out some customers, he said.