Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly roundup
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news!
All news are in one way or other influenced by COVID-19 lockdown. Many of the news have positive hues. Several gambling companies are in preparation for their reopening. Some have announced the dates for their “phased” reopening.
The re-opening would mean some unprecedented safety measures in casinos. Some of the gambling equipment manufacturers have come up with innovative Corona-specific products as well.
Then there are the financial results. As you would expect, most the the first quarter financial results were hit by the lock down and social distancing measures.
The following is a brief summary of top news happened in the North American gambling industry. Read on and get updated.
Casino Reopening
As the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and North Carolina begin to lay out a framework for easing restrictions relating to COVID-19, the casinos are looking forward to a return to operation. Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos is going to reopen its Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in North Carolina on May 18.
In Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson has permitted the casinos to reopen from May 18 with limited capacity. The casinos are in preparation for resuming the operations.
Safety Measures
Gaming companies are implementing health and safety measures in their properties in this pandemic situation. MGM Resorts released health and safety guidelines for its reopening.
The guidelines titled “Seven-Point Safety Plan” offers a multi-layered set of protocols and procedures designed in conjunction with medical and scientific experts to deter the spread of the virus, protect customers and employees and rapidly respond to potential new cases. The guidelines touch on virtually every aspect of casino operation and ensure healthy social distancing.
Many casinos have even redesigned their structures to offer greater distancing and provide more separation between players. Palace Casino Resort in Mississippi is an example for this.
The resort has redesigned its casino floor layout for social distancing. The spa and fitness centre will remain closed to avoid direct contact. Valet parking, room service and other hotel services will not be available when the property reopens.
Smith Rosen Gaming Partitions has launched a set of scratch-resistant slot machine partitions, which can clean themselves. The new innovation based on UVC-powered technology will help casinos to tame the spread of the corona virus as well as to satisfy the recent regulations and recommendations for social distancing. The specifically engineered slot machine partitions are proven to stop the proliferation of virus and bacteria in a casino environment.
Financial Reports
Some companies have announced their financial results this week. Eldorado Resorts announced their first quarter 2020 results. Eldorado reported a 25% decline in revenue during Q1 due to the Coronavirus crisis. Net revenue for Q1 was US$473.1 million. Eldorado also announced an operating loss of US$123.2million. The operating income in Q1 2019 was US$123.6million.
Twin River Worldwide Holdings also announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2020. The results are expectedly modest, as the casinos remained closed from mid-March.
Compliance
In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) amended its bylaws and suspended the membership of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation. The board and membership of OIGA voted to amend its bylaws and remove two tribal members from the organisation.
The amendment to the bylaws states: A member tribe found by a vote of the Board of conduct not in the best interest of the Association may be suspended for the remainder of the calendar year. Once the suspension has expired, the tribe may seek reinstatement of membership, which shall be voted on by the board.
But, the chairmen of Otoe-Missouria Tribe and Comanche Nation have defended these gambling compacts and urged the U.S. Department of the Interior to approve them. Both the chairmen outlined their positions in a ten-page legal memo sent to Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt.
Angela Bernhard Thomas
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Clark County
Clark County residents can bring a friend for free to next week’s Super Bingo $160,000 tournament at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, May 6-8
Home to downtown Las Vegas’ only bingo room, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is offering Clark County, Nevada residents who register to play in next week’s Super Bingo tournament the opportunity to bring a friend for free.
Happening Monday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 8 in the Plaza’s expansive ballroom, Super Bingo is expected to draw nearly 1,000 people from the local Las Vegas valley and across the country and Canada for the opportunity to win big playing fun-filled games of bingo over two days, with a $50,000 super coverall both days while socializing with like-minded bingo players.
Bingo-only registration is $160 per person, and Clark County residents who register can bring a friend for free. Registration is available online at https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/bingo/super-bingo-registration/. Hotel-and-bingo packages start at $300 for a four-night stay with no resort fee.
All Super Bingo players receive one 6-on paper pack for both days, two daubers, free drinks via an open bar at all sessions, boxed lunch both days, and $10 in free slot play after the first day’s session.
The Plaza’s Bingo room offers six daily bingo sessions at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and is located on the 3rd floor. By parking on the third floor of the Plaza’s self-parking garage, guests have convenient and direct access to the Plaza’s bingo room and parking is validated for bingo players.
Gambling in the USA
Kambi Group plc extends Mohegan partnership with on-property sports betting agreement in Pennsylvania
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the world’s trusted sports betting partner, has agreed a long-term on-property sportsbook partnership with Mohegan to provide its award-winning sportsbook at two retail locations in the state of Pennsylvania.
The partnership will see Mohegan utilise Kambi’s cutting-edge retail sportsbook offering across more than 20 kiosks in sportsbook locations at Mohegan Pennsylvania and Mohegan Pennsylvania at Lehigh Valley Race and Sportsbook.
The deal further strengthens Kambi’s relationship with Mohegan, which already utilises Kambi’s suite of sports betting products at ilani in Washington, as well as online and on-property in the Canadian province of Ontario at Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara.
Kristian Nylén, Kambi CEO and Co-founder, said: “With several successful partnerships with Mohegan already in place, we are pleased to agree this new partnership as we continue to build on our strong relationship.
“This latest deal further reinforces Kambi’s position as the sportsbook provider of choice for tribes across North America, and we look forward to our ongoing collaboration with Mohegan.”
Tony Carlucci, President & GM of Mohegan Pennsylvania, said: “Mohegan Pennsylvania is excited to continue utilising the same Kambi technology platform that existed under our Kindred partnership, which will help to create a seamless process as the Sportsbook at Mohegan Pennsylvania fully rebrands later this Spring.”
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