Where’d Everybody Go?

Just a few short months ago, people were clamoring to play the slot machines at the Thunder Valley Casino. The parking lot was jammed with cars and sometimes you couldn’t even get on a slot machine. There were days where you had to wait on line to play the one you wanted, and there were 2,700 slot machines to play.

Now however, it is an entirely different scene at the slot machines. The parking spaces are empty and you have your choice of slot machine to play. Driving through Reno you can see the difference the economy has made to the slot machine industry. There are empty spaces around all of the casinos, and many are working on bare bones staff.

The slot machines still sit there, but they sit there with no one to play them. It is a difficult time for everyone – but especially the casinos as they have a major light bill to pay and no one gambling. Their shops are all but empty, with a lost player wandering around in them.

The casinos and their surrounding streets are emptier and cleaner than most people have ever seen them – because no one is playing. Not only has the recession kept people from playing the slot machines, but all too often those that are playing are going to the Indian casinos instead. The influx of slot machines from the tribes has had a drastic effect on the gaming industry in Reno.

People still flock to Las Vegas, but in Reno there is too much competition for the slot machine dollar.

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