A number of US casino operators have begun to reopen their properties in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a period of temporary closure due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Casinos were forced to close on March 17 as the state sought to slow the spread of Covid-19, but Nevada governor Steve Sisolak last month set a target date of June 4 for casinos to resume activities in the state.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) also provided new guidelines for reopening, including that casinos must limit the number of players in their facilities and at gaming tables in order to prevent transmission of the virus.
Caesars Entertainment Corporation was among the leading operators to reopen properties, with its Caesars Palace and Flamingo Las Vegas welcoming guests from yesterday (June 4), and its Harrah’s Las Vegas also reopening today.
The operator had already committed to resuming activities in Las Vegas as soon as permitted by the state, setting out a number of measures to protect staff and customers and its locations.
MGM Resorts reopened its Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature – in line with plans announced last week – while Boyd Gaming resumed activities at its Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Aliante, Cannery, Sam’s Town, Fremont, California and Jokers Wild sites.
Other casinos to reopen yesterday included the Wynn Las Vegas, Circus Circus, Treasure Island, The Venetian, The Start, Golden Nugget and Downtown Grand.
Station Casinos also reopened a number of its properties, including the Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, Boulder Station, Sunset Station, Santa Fe Station and Palace Station.
The Excalibur is also scheduled to reopen on June 11, while Westgate Las Vegas will follow on June 18. Other casinos in Las Vegas are yet to confirm when they will return.
Last week, the NGCB redacted its figures for sports betting, horse racing and card game revenue in its revenue report for April, which reveals the state’s gaming industry generated just $3.6m. As Nevada casinos were closed throughout April, gambling revenue fell 99.6% year-on-year.
Casinos have already resumed activities in a number of other states, with both Louisiana and Mississippi reopening in May.