For the first time in history, Nevada’s casinos are closed, along with most gaming halls throughout the U.S. Operators are having to manage without a playbook, and analysts liken the crisis to 9/11 and the Great Recession.
Former Washington State Gaming Commissioner Chris Stearns (l.) says tribal casinos in the state, which did not immediately close their doors on news of the Covid-19 threat, have since done a “good job of reacting.”
Pennsylvania regulators have order all casinos to close, but most were already in the process of suspending operations voluntarily to deal with the Covid-19 crisis. Valley Forge Casino Resort (l.) was the first to close.
In this special edition of the GGB Podcast, Earle Hall, vice chairman of the International Gaming Standards Association, discusses the industry’s response to the current coronavirus crisis.
Governor Larry Hogan (l.) ordered all of the state’s casinos, racetracks and off-track betting parlors to shut down indefinitely in response to the coronavirus crisis.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Atlantic City’s nine casinos closed their doors on Monday, with no idea when they will reopen. The industry that fought its way back from the Great Recession is back in survival mode, says gaming analyst Cory Morowitz (l.).
How will the gaming industry get back into the game once the coronavirus threat has passed? to Michael Soll (l.), president of The Innovation Group, believes we need to study the history of the industry to learn how to deal with it.
Las Vegas casinos begin to shut down, as governors order closures in New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Michigan, Maryland and Louisiana. Tribal casinos across the country are evaluating whether to shut down, while in the Philippines, PAGCOR has closed all casinos in the metropolitan Manila area.
Casino floors in four U.S. states were emptied after the state governments banned large gatherings in public places. Casinos in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Massachusetts (Encore Boston Harbor, left) will close for an indefinite period to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Two major tribal casinos in California decided to shut down for two weeks. And in Las Vegas, things are breaking down as well.
In an overtime session, Virginia legislators OK’d bills legalizing sports betting and allowing casinos in five cities. They now go to Governor Ralph Northam (l.), and must also pass muster in voter referendums. The state lottery would oversee sports betting and permit as many as 12 licenses and would also sell lottery tickets online.
Japan’s developing IR industry has been trammeled by public opposition, a corruption scandal and the ripple effects of Covid-19. But don’t count out this important market. Only MGM (l.) seems to have locked up a city, with Osaka poised to give the U.S. company the nod.
Maryland lawmakers have advanced a bill that would allow state voters to approve sports betting. A “yes” vote would bring the wagers to Pimlico Racecourse (l.) and Laurel Park, among other locations.
A group pushing legal sports betting in California has more than half the signatures necessary to put the measure on the November ballot. Spokesman Jacob Mejia said, “We’re off to a really strong start.”
Rep. Susan Williams Gifford’s (l.) controversial bill in the Massachusetts legislature would lower the bar for investment to build a casino in the Bay State’s Region C.
The U.S. Department of Interior last week approved land-into-trust for the South Carolina-based Catawba Indians to build a casino near Charlotte, North Carolina. Catawba Chief William Harris (l.) says it’s “righting a wrong.”
Everi Holdings Inc. has promoted Randy L. Taylor (l.) to the newly created position of president and chief operating officer. Mark F. Labay and David J. Lucchese have also been promoted, effective April 1.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (l.) is fighting an omnibus gaming bill by Senator Cathy Osten. Lamont wants a bill that addresses only sports betting.
A ridiculous requirement that applicants for gaming licenses must report all “scars” on their bodies to the regulatory authority is a great metaphor for the scars that encircle bad and ineffective regulation, says former regulator Richard Schuetz.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has offered financial support to help combat illegal iGaming. PAGCOR Chairwoman Andrea Domingo (l.) said, “We really want to help.”
A Missouri House committee has given its OK to two different sports betting plans. Leagues favor one bill, casinos favor the other. The tax rate on the bill from Rep. Cody Smith (l.) was 9 percent.
A New Jersey bill would permit betting on esports competitions. Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (l.), a sponsor, marvels at the number of people who flock to see esports, or competitive video gaming.
A group called Fair Play Massachusetts hopes to convince Bay State lawmakers to let small venues like bars offer sports betting, as well as casinos and racetracks.
Sportsbook PointsBet, now based in New Jersey, has also opened a temporary office in Denver. The company under CEO Johnny Aitken (l.) will eventually be headquartered in the Mile-High City.
Caesars Entertainment is now taking mobile sports bets in Pennsylvania. Caesars executive Christian Stuart (l.) called it “a milestone in our strategy to offer Caesars mobile-gaming products … to the most populous states.”
BetMGM is partnering with Yahoo Sports to launch a shared wallet that will allow patrons to share an e-wallet between BetMGM sites and Yahoo Sportsbook.
Who is going to sign the $7 billion check that will allow the purchase of Caesars Entertainment (Caesars Palace at left) by Eldorado Resorts? While the commitment is there, will it actually happen given the decline in the value of both company’s stock price?
Despite a resounding defeat in 2016, support of casinos in North Jersey has not gone away. Several bills were introduced to permit casinos outside of Atlantic City, but Senator Steve Sweeney (l.) promises they won’t get traction.
More than two dozen people have been charged in a plan to dope racehorses and cheat bettors, say federal investigators. Among them: Jason Servis, who trained Maximum Security (l.).
Iowa’s 19 casinos generated more than $1.1 billion in economic impact last year. Administrator Brian Ohorilko (l.) says 2020 is on track to do it again.
Soon the free-wheeling state of Wyoming could become a little more fenced in, with a new gaming commission to bring maverick video gaming machines in line. The bill must be signed by Governor Mark Gordon (l.).
Legislation proposed by Missouri state Senator Denny Hoskins (l.) would allow video lottery terminals in truck stops, fraternal and veterans' organizations and retailers with liquor licenses.
Push has come to shove for Atlantic City officials, impatient to see the aging Trump Plaza demolished. They may take owner Carl Icahn to court to rid themselves of the derelict gaming hall. But Icahn says he’s already started the process.
A resolution a referendum on casino gambling in St. Tammany Parish has been unanimously approved by the parish council. A former state representative suggests the plan was hatched by his successor.
Alabama Senator Greg Albritton (l.) has introduced far-reaching gaming legislation that includes a compact with the Poarch Band, grants exclusive gaming rights at its three existing casinos and calls for two new ones.
Minnesota tribes are concerned sports betting in the state would have negative repercussions for the casino industry. Tribal leader Melanie Benjamin (l.) suggests a “wait-and-see” approach.
In the first eight months of fiscal 2020, which began July 1, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery posted losses of $19.7 million to $321 million, compared to the same period in fiscal 2019.
Austria’s Österreichische Beteiligungs (ÖBAG) and Czech gaming firm the Sazka Group have agreed to a “cooperation agreement” on control of the Austrian lottery, Osterreichische Lotterien.
The Nigerian Lottery and the country’s Corporate Affairs Commission will join to fight “unscrupulous” operators. Lottery Director Lanre Gbajabiamila (l.), calls the partnership “long overdue.”
Robert Saucier’s (l.) long and rocky relationship with Nevada regulators could be coming to an end. The Gaming Control Board has recommended that the Galaxy director be found unsuitable to hold a license.
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) has appointed Mark Rosa senior vice president and chief information officer to oversee strategic business decisions related to technology across MGE properties.
BMM Testlabs has named Michael Price (l.), a two-decade veteran of tribal gaming operations with more than 10 years in the gaming testing sector, as senior director of tribal services.
Stephen Rigby (l.), who has led the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission as president and chief executive officer for five years, has announced he will step down.
GVC Holdings has signed a partnership agreement with independent harm minimization consultancy Epic Risk Management to sponsor education programs to reduce problem gambling. Paul Buck (l.), Epic CEO, says Epic will launch their programs across 14 states in 2020.
Australian gaming company Ainsworth Game Technology (AGT) announced last week the purchase of the assets of MTD Gaming Inc. (MTD). AGT CEO Lawrence Levy (l.) says the acquisition will drive incremental revenue.
Betinvest’s new online slots have a built-in VR option for a “more captivating gaming experience,” said Business Development Manager Alexandra Kalchuk (l.).
Pariplay Ltd., a technology firm serving iGaming operators, land-based casinos and lotteries, has announced a partnership with Malta-based iGaming operator Videoslots.com.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has unanimously recommended license approval for Australia’s Wymac Development, which produces slot machines and promotional social gaming products.
Covid-19 in Nevada: It’s ‘War’
