Why didn’t social distancing in casinos work? Reports Frank Legato, “the Centers for Disease Control revealed that the Covid-19 virus can survive up to two or three days on stainless steel, plastic and other nonporous 
surfaces—like gaming machines. An industry shutdown was unavoidable.” While that may have deterred the traditional casino industry, black-market slot routes in Pennsylvania, Missouri and other states are carrying on business as usual. Pandemic? What pandemic? There’s money to be made, public health be damned! According to Legato, “One photo shows a man playing a slot-like device with his daughter, a toddler, in his lap, wearing pajamas.”
Attempts have been made in Pennsylvania to push back against this, but law enforcement currently has Continue reading
Tonight, in a gesture of defiance toward Coronavirus, a parade of vehicles will be held up the otherwise-deserted Las Vegas Strip. Led by mobile billboard Balanceville Art Car, “Light Up Las Vegas” will begin from McCarran Sunset Business Park, immediately south of the airport, and proceed single-file to Fremont Street. Organizers are offering copious media coverage, understandable since the event will be held (in a surreal touch) in the complete absence of spectators.
Vegas by the one-month casino shutdown, 
everyone.” Unemployment claims in the Garden State jumped sixfold, to 155,000. Severance pay and health benefits for idled casino workers are set to expire today. In a “george” move, Eldorado Resorts 
and more modest ones in Boston. In Sin City, Wynncore donated “240,000 N95-equivalent CDC-approved respirator masks, 600,000 surgical masks, 500,000 pairs of medical gloves, and thousands of medical gowns to … area hospitals.” Law enforcement and nursing homes are also beneficiaries of Wynn largesse, as are 
operators will have to file Chapter 11. A five-month closure seems improbable at this point but Macquarie Research says that’s how long most of the industry has before running out of cash. That figure is predicated on Penn National Gaming, spending $6.5 million a day just to shelter in place. MGM Resorts International ($14.5 million/day) has nine months, as does Boyd Gaming ($3 million/day). Obviously, those companies that are spending the least per day have the best survival odds, including Full House Resorts (14 months), Station Casinos (ditto) and $1 million/day Golden Entertainment (10.5 months).
Classified an essential business by Gov. Steve Sisolak (D), Resorts World LV is still shooting for a summer 2021 opening. As the budget continues to escalate, $3 million will be spent on a Crystal Bar, connected with the preannounced Crystal Pool. (By contrast, new Poker Deli will cost a modest $48K.) Reports Eater Vegas, “A 220,000-square-foot outdoor complex is planned, featuring seven separate water attractions, including three villa pools and an 1,800-square-foot infinity pool ‘with spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip.'”
day. (Statewide, revenues were up 3%.) Strip slots were robust, gaining 7% on 7.5% higher coin-in, but non-baccarat table win was flat despite 9.5% higher wagering. Baccarat win was the spider at the picnic, falling 11.5% on 1% less wagering. Given that the comparison was a -2% February 2019, surpassing last year shouldn’t have been difficult. Locals casinos were flat, too, especially at the slots, where coin-in was up 3%. Some end-of-January handle got rolled into February but the latter also ended on 
unemployment benefits were overly generous and would encourage workers to get laid off.” 
clear how much of its