For the first time since March of last year, Atlantic City casinos have been cleared to open at full capacity starting tomorrow, May 19th. The change comes just two months after they opened at 50% occupancy. However, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has chosen to keep the mask requirement in place indoors, and the six-foot social distancing rule will also remain in effect. “Now is the time to take major steps to reopen our economy and loosen both indoor and outdoor gathering and capacity restrictions,” he said. The Governor’s decision to open up the casinos comes as the summer tourism…

It’s been a tough year for the folks at Cirque du Solei. But now, as Las Vegas and the country bounce back from the pandemic, things are starting to look a bit brighter. Performers for Cirque are standing be and eager to get back on stage as casinos are lifting capacity restrictions. Expectations are that “The Beatles Love” will return in July, “Michael Jackson One” in late August, and “KA” sometime in late September. Additionally, “Mystere” plans to reopen in late June, with “O” to follow on or about July 1st. Sadly, not all of the shows survived the pandemic…

As Las Vegas casinos reach their vaccination goals and begin to fully reopen, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has decided that the casinos can each set their individual face mask policies. The move comes as the Centers for Disease Control announcement that people who have been vaccinated don’t need to wear face coverings, even if they are indoors. However, that does not necessarily mean that inoculated people can go anywhere without a mask. Casinos are also free to continue the face mask requirements for their guests if they choose to do so. A spokesperson for the Gaming Control Board said…

Despite a pandemic that killed the travel business, the American gambling industry has come back strong and is even setting new records. Commercial gambling revenue in the United States reached $11 billion in the first quarter of this year. That number ties the previous record revenue from 2019, according to the American Gaming Association. Over half the states with commercial casinos saw quarterly gaming revenue increases as well, with many reporting record quarters. The first quarter of this year also set a record for sports betting revenue, with the $961 million bet on events. Casino table games gross was down…

Last week we reported that several Las Vegas casinos had been allowed to open at full capacity. The Cosmopolitan, along with the Wynn and the Encore, were the first to get to 100% occupancy for their casino floors. Now, several more casinos have joined them. Yesterday, word came down that The Strat had received permission from the Nevada Gaming Control Board to fully open. Now comes word that many more Las Vegas casinos will be joining them: Caesars Entertainment announced that all of their properties around Sin City were operating with no occupancy or social distancing restrictions. That includes Caesars…

A State Senator has introduced legislation for the regulation of Ohio sports betting. If approved, it would allow for up to forty (40) licenses. A previous attempt to pass legislation to bet on sports failed. Of those licenses, twenty (20) would be granted to casinos and racinos in the state. Those casinos and racinos would then be able to partner web based sports books to usher in online gambling. An additional twenty licenses could then be granted sports bars, betting shops, and other brick-and-mortar locations. State lawmakers plan to pass the bill before the end of June. Professional sports teams…