Sands Cuts Table Games for Slots

The Sands Hotel Casino will eliminate more than half of its table games to make room for slot machines, which are cheaper to maintain and generate more profit.

President Herbert Wolfe said Tuesday the casino will remove 43 of its existing 71 blackjack, Baccarat and other table games by July 1, installing about 400 slot machines in their place.

Slot machines do not require dealers or supervisors and typically generate four times the profit margin, Wolfe said.

"It's the way of the market, and also it's an opportunity to enhance our profitability," he said.

He would not comment on how many workers would be affected. But Michael Pollock, publisher of the Gaming Industry Observer newsletter, told The Press of Atlantic City that up to 150 employees would lose their jobs.

"Sands can't be all things to all people. What Herb's trying to do is find a profitable niche and have a lower cost structure," Pollock said.

Under New Jersey law, casinos can use only 90 percent of their gambling areas for slot machines, but there is no minimum number of table games required.

Author: 6 ABC-AP