By Howard Stutz, Executive Editor, CDC Gaming Reports
Even if the gaming industry were to receive an “all clear” notice tomorrow to reopen casinos and resorts closed by the coronavirus pandemic, there wouldn’t be throngs of customers waiting at the entrances. The cloud of COVID-19 will be hovering above the surface. It may remain that way well into the summer months. While professional sports leagues are debating restarting their suspended seasons without fans in the stadiums, the nation’s casino industry doesn’t want to reopen the nearly 1,000 idle commercial and tribal casinos minus the properties’ loyal customers. MGM Resorts International acting CEO Bill Hornbuckle said last week the company will only reopen its nearly two dozen gaming and non-gaming resorts in six states, “when it is safe.” (more)