Covid-19 in Nevada: It’s ‘War’

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.

PA Lockdown

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.

Maryland Shutdown

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.

In Atlantic City, Coronavirus Beats the House

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.).

Brave New World: The Gaming Industry, After Covid-19

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.

Rolling Closures Hit U.S. Casinos

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.

States Shutter Casinos As Virus Spreads

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.

Featured Stories More

Virginia Lawmakers Pass Casino, Sports Betting Bills

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.

Three Strikes for Japan?

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 Senate Clears Sports-Betting Bill

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.

California Tribes Advance Sportsbook Initiative

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.”

Carolina On Their Minds

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 Announces New Leaders

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.

Lamont v. iGaming in Connecticut

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (l.) is fighting an omnibus gaming bill by Senator Cathy Osten. Lamont wants a bill that addresses only sports betting.

Bad Regulations Can Leave a Scar

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.

ASIAN GAMING More

EUROPEAN GAMING More

London’s Clermont Club to Reopen

This summer, the elegant Clermont Club (l.) will return to London’s Berkeley Square. The private members’ club and casino first opened in 1962.

GLOBAL GAMING More

ONLINE GAMING More

Philippines Target Illegal iGaming

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.”

Red, White & Blue Online in PA

IGT’s classic reel-spinner Red, White & Blue (l.) is now available to play online in Pennsylvania at Penn National Gaming’s Hollywood Online Casino.

SPORTS BETTING More

Missouri Committee Approves Two Betting Plans

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.

NJ Committee Passes Esports Wagers

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.

Caesars Begins Mobile Sports Bets in PA

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.”

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Bad Timing for Eldorado-Caesars?

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?

Maverick Buys Tahoe Resort

Maverick Gaming just added to its empire, purchasing the Montbleu Resort (l.) in Lake Tahoe from Eldorado Resorts.

North Jersey Still Hopes for Casinos

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.

Wyoming OKs Gaming Commission

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.).

Missouri Considers Legal VLTs

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.

AC to Icahn: Tear Down Crumbling Casino

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.

Louisiana Parish Rejects Riverboat Casino

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.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Alabama Lawmaker Introduces Gambling Bill

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.

LOTTERY More

Arkansas State Lottery Revenue Decreases

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, Sazka Group Agree to Lottery Terms

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.

PEOPLE More

Ex-Galaxy CEO Faces Nevada Ban

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.

IGSA Adds Board Members

The International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) has reelected Novomatic executive Roman Czubak (l.) as board chairman, among other appointments.

MGE Installs Rosa as Senior VP, CIO

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 Names Tribal Services Director

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.

OLG’s CEO Rigby to Step Down

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.

GOODS & SERVICES More

GVC Holdings, EPIC Risk Management Partner

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.

Ainsworth Buys MTD Gaming Inc.

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 Debuts VR Online Slots

Betinvest’s new online slots have a built-in VR option for a “more captivating gaming experience,” said Business Development Manager Alexandra Kalchuk (l.).

NV Board Gives Nod to Australia’s Wymac

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has unanimously recommended license approval for Australia’s Wymac Development, which produces slot machines and promotional social gaming products.

NUTSHELL More

THEY SAID IT More

QUOTABLE QUOTES

Outrageous pronouncements, simple statements and words of wisdom.