Atlantic City: Casino deregulation could mean eliminating floor supervisors

The new regulation eliminates staffing requirements for table games supervisors, such as pit bosses. It is the state's latest attempt to streamline New Jersey's gaming laws.

DGE spokeswoman Lisa Spengler could not confirm how many people may be affected by the move.

Under the new regulation, which will take effect April 13, each casino will be required to employ a casino manager, who will be the executive responsible for overseeing all casino games. In addition to the manager, casinos must also staff casino clerks, slot attendants and floor persons, the supervisor assigned for overseeing the operation and conduct of all table games, including poker.

The new rules also state that casinos are not prohibited from using additional workers in positions other than those listed, nor do the rules limit the DGE from ordering additional workers in the casino necessary for property supervision. So individual casinos have the choice to retain supervisors if they choose to do so.

By eliminating the pit supervisor, who watches the floor person and the dealer, it means fewer eyes watching the tables, said Carl Zeitz, an independent consultant and former member of the Casino Control Commission.

Under the state's new regulations, the DGE absorbed most of the duties previously handled by the CCC. The latest DGE regulation comes after 115 CCC inspectors lost their jobs in February as part of the sweeping regulatory overhaul of the state's casino rules. Previously, the state required gaming inspectors to always be present at every casino.

Legislators pushed deregulation as a way to help casinos survive and thrive as competition from nearby states increases and Atlantic City casino revenues plunge monthly. The governor's advisory panel stated the gaming reform could save US$ 15 million to US$ 25 million annually.

Bob Griffin, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey, refused comment Thursday. In January, Griffin said the deregulation is a "huge positive" that would save the gaming industry money to not only operate more efficiently but also free up money to better market Atlantic City.

Gaming and political leaders hope the deregulation combined with the newly formed state-run Tourism District could turn the city around. Atlantic City is expected to announce its 31st consecutive month of declining casino revenue next week.

The newly posted rules eliminate pages of details that were listed in the state's original CCC regulations, including a comprehensive listing of the chain of command in a casino and supervisory responsibilities.

The new DGE rules are less specific and only include job titles, including a casino manager, assistant manager, a table games shift manager and slot shift manager. Underneath those supervisors is the casino clerk, a floor person and a slot attendant. Dealers, stick persons and box persons were not named in the rules.