How Americans Spend Now

Monica Williams, 32, Las Vegas

Most people come for a good time, and it's not all about the money. As long as they're having a good time, losing doesn't bother them. Our table minimums are still very competitive with the other casinos downtown. Now we have $2 and $3 blackjack. I would say that came about in the last six months. Some of the Strip hotels still have $10 and $15 minimum games, and I'm seeing more people coming downtown for at least part of their visit. I am averaging about $2,000 a month gross. Tips are steady. Even though a lot of people are having hard times, there's always the need for entertainment and relaxation. Gambling is entertaining for a lot of people.

I'm doing O.K. A lot of families have been affected, working [in my] industry. But I was fortunate. Most of us here at Fitzgeralds are, because we have regulars that keep us busy. I've heard of a few [layoffs], but it's very minimal. A lot of employees here lost 401(k) money. I didn't fully understand it, which is why I didn't sign up for it. And I kept thinking I'm going to kick myself if I don't do it, and then this happened.

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