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Staten Island Felt Ripple of Casino Shutdown
Ripple effects of the government shutdown were felt even in Staten Island, in the form of not only the gamblers, but also the businesses that serve them.
One such business is the operation of Island bus ticket agents. The government shutdown has caused local gamblers to travel farther in order to play their casino games, to Connecticut for one.
An example of a businesswoman who felt the domino effect from New Jersey is Maria Drevland, who owns Express, a bus ticket agency for Atlantic City trips serving mostly gamblers. Her bus ticket agency is located inside her other business, Beggin Dog Bakery, a pet gourmet treats and accessory store. But although she has two means of livelihood, 90 percent of her revenues come from the bus ticket sales.
All trips to the Jersey Shore were cancelled July 5, translating to a huge loss in her business. Drevland said that if the shutdown continues for a week, she would be forced to let two or three employees go. Her employees have been with her for more than 10 years.
But bus companies have been quick to troubleshoot, asking Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos in Connecticut to allow their Atlantic City bus lines to travel there, said casino resort representatives.