Oct. 14--If professional and college sports fill the candy store of life, for years Art Manteris has been taking action on which is more popular -- peppermint or spearmint, jawbreakers or bubble gum. 

The candy of choice might change from week to week, but the craving for the sweet stuff is always there. 

So in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the self-analysis by many who have pondered the meaning of life in the ensuing days and weeks, Manteris is convinced he has a job that serves a purpose. 

"Like a lot of Americans, I feel very patriotic, but as far as wanting to do something with my life I find that sports is a really important part of social life in America, and I've always looked at sports gaming as a fun and entertaining leisure activity that many people enjoy," said the vice president of race and sports book operations for Station Casinos. 

"Just like the movie industry, the TV industry, there's a place for that in America." 

QUESTION: How is business at your seven neighborhood casinos since the attacks?: 

ANSWER: There was no sports activity for a week. It was a big blow to the sports book industry right at the start of the football season when you put your staff together. It was bad for business reasons, but obviously this thing has affected many people in so many ways. 

Q: Is business improving? 

A: Yes. When games resumed it was exciting for me to see the stadiums full, people waving the flags in the pregame ceremonies. It meant life is returning to normal. To see people enjoying the games, betting the games, you realize life is returning to normal. 

Q: Did the attacks give you a different perspective on your job? 

A: It has to. The week the football games were canceled I for one didn't want them to play. The players said they didn't want to play, weren't ready. I sympathized. I wasn't ready to book football. They did the right thing by giving people the opportunity to reflect and heal a little bit. We're all the better for that. We had some serious adjustments to make. It does give you a different perspective. Sure, sports is fun. Sports gaming is a fun industry to be involved in, and one that I wouldn't trade for many, but when the tragedy struck I guess we all had to say it isn't as important as you think. 

Q: How were the last two weekends so far as moneymaking goes for Station Casinos' sports books? 

A: The crowds been strong, robust. We took a short-term hit. Will it continue? It will probably not be what it would've been otherwise. 

Q: So it's not quite as strong as you hoped for this time of the football season? 

A: Are we where we thought we'd be 2 1/2 weeks ago? Probably not. But also I don't want to come across as complaining either. Let's face it, there are plenty of Americans who have plenty of legitimate reasons to complain right now, and I'm not in that position. 

Q: How you changed your marketing approach since the 11th? 

A: Not as far as the race and sports book. We're still promoting ties win parlay cards, our automated telephone wagering system. 

VITAL STATISTICS 

Name: Art Manteris. 

Age: 45. 

Position: Vice president of race and sports book operations for Station Casinos. 

Education: Bachelor's in political science, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1980. 

Family: Wife, Sue; daughter, Christina, son, Nicholas. 

Work History: Held a variety of race and sports positions at the Las Vegas Hilton and its parent company, Park Place Entertainment, between 1986 and this year, culminating with the title of vice president of race and sports for Park Place. Previously worked in a mix of race and sports book jobs at Caesars Palace, Barbary Coast, Stardust and Fremont between 1979 and 1986. 

Hobbies: Yoga, tennis softball. 

Favorite book: "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams," by Deepak Chopra. 

Hometown: Pittsburgh. 

In Las Vegas since: 1978. 

Vice president of race and sports book operations for Station Casinos 

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(c) 2001, Las Vegas Review-Journal. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.