Interiors boom in new casinos

Interior design work for the US casino industry is set to boom as laws on the location of gambling sites are relaxed and operators reposition themselves.

The law is changing state by state – 23 states now have casinos whereas five years ago only two states allowed them.

Henry Conversano & Associates has designed interiors for four of the biggest gambling operators – including Harrah’s Entertainment, which is expanding the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“Casinos have developed from simple gaming places to complete facilities,” says consultancy principal Henry Conversano.

Harrah’s – which runs 15 casinos in eight states – has new sites in St Louis, Missouri, and New Orleans due to open this year. Several others are at planning stage, including developments in Washington state, Alabama and California. Henry Conversano & Associates will be responsible for all interiors.

Conversano stresses the challenge for designers to accommodate new customers who want all-round entertainment: “Designers have to be very sensitive to satisfy the problems of owners reaching their market better. We must build a facility which is comfortable and delightful.

“Casino interior designers are freer to be more adventurous because of the huge income of their clients,” he adds.

ITT Corporation acquired casino operator Caesars World in December to create “one of the premier hospitality, gaming and entertainment companies in the world”, says chairman, president and chief executive Rand V Araskog. It operates five gaming resorts in the US and plans more in Nova Scotia, Canada.