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Key Insights from Casino Cosmopol that Remained Open During COVID-19

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In a new paper from UNLV’s International Gaming Institute (IGI), researchers compiled key insights from Sweden’s Casino Cosmopol that remained open through the end of March as counterparts in Nevada and around the world, closed. The casino, like properties around the world, eventually shut down, but during its extended time open, IGI researchers were able to glean best practices that operators around the world can learn from.

Casino Cosmopol, unlike casinos in Nevada and elsewhere, had to “adapt on the run,” and did not have months of downtime to draft a detailed strategy for reopening, IGI research assistant and Harrah College of Hospitality doctoral student Kasra Ghaharian and IGI Executive Director Bo Bernhard found.

In addition to employing extra hygiene procedures and social distancing at restaurants and table games on the casino floor, Casino Cosmopol’s CEO Per Jaldung shared in-depth details of the experiences while his business operated during the height of the pandemic. Ghaharian and Bernhard construed the insights into the following lessons learned for other hospitality industry executives.

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Key insight No. 1: Share best practices

Constant best practice sharing, even with competitors and across geographic borders, is the best way to get smarter and faster.

Participating in industry video conferences, such as IGI’s Executive Development Programme, is one way to do this.

“If you’re the kind of leader who usually keeps things close to the vest, as your competitive impulses win out over information sharing — stop,” UNLV researchers write. “Now is not the time.”

Key insight No. 2: Communicate, communicate, communicate

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Customers have an enormous thirst for information.

Jaldung quickly learned that even more important than the safety and cleaning procedures themselves was Casino Cosmopol’s decision to communicate those procedures at multiple levels with customers.

Visibility was also important. Customers may be comfortable with—and even prefer—highly visible cleaning and sterilisation policies, UNLV researchers write. When customers could see staff constantly making a concerted effort in repetitive cleaning of slot machine touch points, elevator buttons, and door handles, it translated to positive customer morale.

Key insight No. 3: Be flexible and agile

In a dynamic time such as this, it is important for casino operators to remember that they won’t have all of the answers at hand, researchers said.

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Casino Cosmopol did not have the benefit of widely published operations guides to deal with the coronavirus, and yet they arrived at smart, flexible solutions.

“While everyone talks about the importance of ‘turning your property into a lab,’ Casino Cosmopol was able to do it, at the very time they needed to innovate most, thanks to enhanced communication and empowerment tools,” the researchers said.

Key insight No. 4: Employees want to contribute

They want a seat at the table and they know more about how customers are genuinely feeling than anyone else in the company. Management needs to leverage this and let employees know that they are a critical component to the recovery strategy.

Key insight No. 5: Technology is key, most notably as an enabler of human social intelligence

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Casino Cosmopol used technology to institute a group chat, which they named “Corona Chat” among employees, enabling real-time intelligence to be shared on what was happening in the trenches. In one notable interaction, a dealer and cashier addressed a concern about the frequency of cleaning chips without ever having to involve a manager.

“Casino Cosmopol’s ‘Corona Chat’ was the best ‘game changer’ for the company, as it empowered employees across hierarchies to lead, to share, and to bond in their common interest of continuing to serve during difficult times,” researchers wrote.

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Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18

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The Plaza Hotel & Casino will honor two popular Las Vegas sports teams with its weekly Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show this week and next.

Tomorrow night, Friday, July 11, members of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) dance team, the Scarlet Dance Line will be the guests of honor to ignite the fireworks from the TNT box at 9:15 p.m. at Carousel Bar. UNLV alumni and fans are encouraged to wear university gear to Carousel Bar, which will have a DJ starting at 7 p.m. and offer a special cocktail, the Rebel Rita, a frozen strawberry margarita made with Mi Campo Blanco, for the night.

Next Friday, July 18, the mascot for the Vegas Knight Hawks, Risk will be on hand as the TNT ignitor at Carousel Bar honoring the professional indoor football team that plays at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson. A DJ will again be entertaining guests at Carousel Bar starting at 7 p.m.

Staged from the top of the Plaza’s South Tower every Friday at 9:15 p.m. from May through September, the public can watch the Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show for free from in front of the Plaza on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during the show for viewing the fireworks from Carson Avenue to Ogden Avenue.

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The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation. Updates will be available on the Plaza’s social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

The post Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Latest News

Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18

Published

on

Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

The Plaza Hotel & Casino will honor two popular Las Vegas sports teams with its weekly Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show this week and next.

Tomorrow night, Friday, July 11, members of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) dance team, the Scarlet Dance Line will be the guests of honor to ignite the fireworks from the TNT box at 9:15 p.m. at Carousel Bar. UNLV alumni and fans are encouraged to wear university gear to Carousel Bar, which will have a DJ starting at 7 p.m. and offer a special cocktail, the Rebel Rita, a frozen strawberry margarita made with Mi Campo Blanco, for the night.

Next Friday, July 18, the mascot for the Vegas Knight Hawks, Risk will be on hand as the TNT ignitor at Carousel Bar honoring the professional indoor football team that plays at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson. A DJ will again be entertaining guests at Carousel Bar starting at 7 p.m.

Staged from the top of the Plaza’s South Tower every Friday at 9:15 p.m. from May through September, the public can watch the Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show for free from in front of the Plaza on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during the show for viewing the fireworks from Carson Avenue to Ogden Avenue.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation. Updates will be available on the Plaza’s social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

The post Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18

Published

on

Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

The Plaza Hotel & Casino will honor two popular Las Vegas sports teams with its weekly Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show this week and next.

Tomorrow night, Friday, July 11, members of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) dance team, the Scarlet Dance Line will be the guests of honor to ignite the fireworks from the TNT box at 9:15 p.m. at Carousel Bar. UNLV alumni and fans are encouraged to wear university gear to Carousel Bar, which will have a DJ starting at 7 p.m. and offer a special cocktail, the Rebel Rita, a frozen strawberry margarita made with Mi Campo Blanco, for the night.

Next Friday, July 18, the mascot for the Vegas Knight Hawks, Risk will be on hand as the TNT ignitor at Carousel Bar honoring the professional indoor football team that plays at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson. A DJ will again be entertaining guests at Carousel Bar starting at 7 p.m.

Staged from the top of the Plaza’s South Tower every Friday at 9:15 p.m. from May through September, the public can watch the Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show for free from in front of the Plaza on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during the show for viewing the fireworks from Carson Avenue to Ogden Avenue.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation. Updates will be available on the Plaza’s social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

The post Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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