The CCC the regulating body for Atlantic City casinos has agreed to the testing implementation of electronic poker and roulette games in the resorts.
In a statement, the commission stated the testing is designed to help the casinos keep their labor costs down.
Pennsylvania, which recently has been opening slot parlors, cannot have the typical table games which involve a human dealer. Games there such as blackjack have a screen in which male and female ‘avatars’ deal electronic hands to players.
One question that begs to be answered is: what happens to the poker and roulette dealers that will be replaced, not hired or be underemployed, as some players go to an electronic game instead of a flesh and blood dealer to play? Eliminating tips for the dealers affects their income. On average in Atlantic City casinos, tips for dealers represent conservatively 75 percent of their income.
Tip money would be gambled instead of at least a small portion on average being contributed to the dealers. The hold (profit) on an electronic table would undoubtedly be higher than a flesh and blood game.
While businesses must be able to have the freedom if using advances in technology to prosper and sometimes just maintain profits i.e. survive, it might be a little difficult to understand the uneven practice that the New Jersey casino control commission takes in its role. Recently with the massive layoffs at Tropicana, including dealers and floor supervisors, the commission questioned the staffing at the casino. Several state legislators also weighed in on Tropicana’s practices.
Now with its other hand the commission has opened the door to allow casinos to adopt new technologies which eliminate jobs.
While it would be doubtful that all players would migrate to an electronic game it will definitely eliminate jobs in Atlantic City.
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