Alcohol on Turning Stone gaming floor presents new challenges
By
WKTV News
Story Created:
May 7, 2010 at 11:13 AM EST
Story Updated:
May 7, 2010 at 11:23 AM EST
VERONA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Turning Stone Casino will soon have to deal with something they haven't had to deal with for the first 17 years of their existence: alcohol on the gaming floor.
On Thursday, the New York State Liquor Authority gave CD Beverage, a subsidiary of the Beeches in Rome, permission to serve alcohol anywhere at Turning Stone-including the formerly dry gaming floor. Health professionals who deal with addiction on a daily basis say the presence of alcohol will present new challenges for casino staff.
"How they're going to enforce the age restriction; they can be 18 to gamble but have to be 21 to drink and it's a pretty expansive area and I would imagine it'd be difficult to monitor," said CEO Donna Vitagliano of the Insight House.
Casino officials said they are still finalizing details of the various aspects of serving alcohol at Turning Stone, but that it's not an entirely new challenge.
"Since alcohol has been catered at Turning Stone for some time, we already have programs in place regarding alcohol, making certain only people 21 and over are served alcohol," said Director of Media Relations Mark Emery, who added that the 18-year age minimum to enter the gaming floor will not change.
Vitagliano points out that people with addictions, including gambling addictions, often have addictive personalities and therefore multiple addictions.
Emery says casino staff are trained in that area.
"We already have extensive programs in place and awareness training for staff as it relates to addictive behavior."
Emery has not yet said when alcohol will be available on the gaming floor. Casino officials will likely hold a news conference next week to release more details.
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