ShareThe big news in the industry is that Nevada is bouncing back from the coronavirus downturn, posting their first $1billion month since the pandemic kicked in last year.
Casino capacity in Vegas up to 80%, what your poker options are in Europe and digital currency in Macau are among the other headlines in a busy news week...
Nevada casinos bounce back with $1.1billion revenues
We’ll start with the $billion news for Nevada, and incredibly the $1.1billion takings for March are reportedly the highest since this time back in 2013...The state’s casinos – as well as players, workers and most everything related to the gambling world – have been suffering since Governor Sisolak shut things down a year ago, with very gradual re-openings with restrictions ever since.
Remarkably, despite still only being at 50% capacity, the numbers have rocketed recently, with Vegas Strip casinos responsible for just over $500 million of the month’s revenue.
With every region of the state seeing month-over-month increases, the state government collected close to $100 million in taxes from March revenues.
Jackpots and potential jackpots!
Connected to that $billion news is word from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak that from May 1st Las Vegas casinos will be allowed to run at 80% capacity.
That 30% increase was actually subject to a decision from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) who have revealed they are looking to allow 100% opening by June 1st. That figure, however, will be subject to state-wide controls that say 60% of residents have to have had at least one shot of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Some players have already taken advantage of the relaxation in casino capacity, the semi-anonymous Roger L. scooping a $2.9million slots jackpot at the Venetian.
European poker playing possibilities
On the other side of the Atlantic from US-related poker, the European action is still far slower to return, with many countries struggling to enact vaccine programmes.Kings Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic, is due to host the WSOP Europe late in the year, but the central European nation has been one of the worst affected recently by Covid-19.
The numbers, however, are taking a turn for the better and could see the country’s casinos opening relatively soon, essential businesses due to re-open this week. The hope is that cardrooms will be included, or follow soon after.
In the UK, one of the most-vaccinated areas of Europe, the four nations are still operating open-space only policies for non-essential services.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that will change on May 17th if numbers continue to improve, with all Covid restrictions removed by June 21st.
In Spain, Casino Barcelona is one of several open, though with restrictions in place, while France is looking at a possible June reopening of indoor play. Germany are lagging behind, an end-of-June earliest reopening, while Italy are hoping for a June 2nd green light date.
Further afield, the Sochi resort in Russia is still open, but travel restrictions are one of the main barriers for international events.
We’ll be back next week with the biggest industry stories, so be sure to watch this space!
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