It is the same as any other casino – rows of slot machines running; no windows so you can’t tell whether it is night or day, lots of air conditioning to keep you awake, and you can smoke wherever you want. The problem isn’t the staying awake, or the amount of money you spend, it is the amount of alcohol consumed. Vince Alberta, Vide President of Public Affairs, Los Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority says, “Casinos do have their problems. But what place doesn't? …Take alcohol … What place doesn't have its problems with drink? It has to be emphasized the problems with gambling are small by comparison to the number of those who take part.  … There is a terrible problem with drinking in Las Vegas. There are a lot of drunk drivers.” 

It is that way everywhere. The people of Blackpool know this all too well from the “booze-fueled violence” that they have to deal with.  Some say it is the responsibility of the casinos to handle the problem. Some of the casinos already do. They see someone who has been at the slots a long time, maybe looking tired and/or drunk, and they will go over to them to see if they can get them some coffee and take a break.  

Scott Messenger, VP of brand marketing at the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino, says that they will do the same thing at their casino.  "Sometimes, when the person is convinced the machine is about to drop a huge win it is difficult to get them to listen. Occasionally we agree to cordon the machine off so nobody else can play on it. It's sometimes the only way we can get someone to stop."

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