20-Jul-06. The chips are down for casinos. Globe and Mail, B3.

The rising Canadian dollar, soaring gas prices and tighter restrictions on smoking are all harming Canada’s casino industry. Yesterday, Casino Windsor cited these factors as it laid off 329 employees due to declining revenues. Other casinos across the country are facing similar issues according to Bill Rutsey, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Gaming Association. Rutsey also cited the rapid growth of on-line gambling as the biggest long-term issue facing the industry.