Gambling will grind to a halt by Wednesday in casino-mecca Las Vegas after Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak shut down all nonessential businesses.
‘This is only common sense. This is effecting the lives of our citizens. People are dying. Every day that is delayed here, I’m losing a dozen people on the back end that are going to die as a result of this,’ Sisolak said announcing the 30 days closures at a press conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday evening.
Slot machines were shut down at midnight Tuesday, local time. The casinos, which employ tens of thousands of workers, will be closed at noon Wednesday.
Sisolak added: ‘In a time where people are getting sick from simply being near others, this is not the time for gyms to remain open. This is not the time for casinos to remain open.’
This is not a time for community recreation centers, clubhouses, movie theaters and malls to remain open.’
A public service announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the Las Vegas strip on Monday. Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak shut down all nonessential businesses, including the Las Vegas casinos at the heart of the state’s economy
‘This is not the time for casinos to remain open’, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak said
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak speaks during a news conference on the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building on March 17
Essential services, such as fire, police, transit, and health care services would remain open.
Sisolak also exempted businesses that provide food, shelter, or social services for disadvantaged populations from closing.
He added: ‘What are you willing to do to save your life and the life of the ones you love? Please take this seriously. Please stay home for Nevada.’
In response, companies including casino operator Caesars Entertainment Corp said they would temporarily shut down their establishments.
‘It has become clear that we must take this extreme action to help contain the virus and protect the safety and well-being of our team members and guests,’ said Caesars Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Tony Rodio.
Derek Stevens, owner of the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate, said: ‘Although this is a devastating time for our country and our community, I’m confident the Las Vegas resiliency will allow us to rise again, stronger than ever.’
The MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts had already said they would be closing temporarily.
Wynn Resorts has said it will pay employees for 30 days.
The highly contagious respiratory illness is on the rise in the United States, with more than 6,400 people infected and at least 109 dead.
The marquees at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Park MGM and the Aria Resort & Casino display messages after the Las Vegas Strip resorts were closed
MGM Resorts International suspended operations at all of its Las Vegas properties until further notice to combat the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic on March 11
Following the decision to shut all casinos on the strip the American Gaming Association said: ‘Nevada is the epicenter of the resilient American gaming industry.
‘The federal government must act swiftly to bring relief to our friends, neighbors, and colleagues in Nevada and all across America whose livelihoods have been severely impacted by these hard but necessary actions.’
The shutdown of the multi-billion-dollar industry is a hammer blow for the city’s tourism and entertainment sectors as hotel occupancy rates have already begun to nosedive.
According to Wynn Resorts’ official figures on its website, the company’s operating revenues over three months up to last September were $1.65 billion.
MGM Grand posted net revenues of $3.2 billion over three months up to the end of 2019, the firm’s accounts state.
Several employees at MGM Resorts International hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, including at least one at Luxor, tested positive in a presumptive test for COVID-19 over the weekend.
On Friday it emerged two employees, one at the Luxor and another at the Wet Republic pool, tested positive.
In a statement, MGM said they will not be taking any reservations prior to May 1.