A new report from the Innovation Group has found changing player perceptions and behaviors around casinos. One such change directly ties to the Coronavirus pandemic is the interest in new technologies such as cashless casino  payments. Casino players apparently want cashless options with 86% of respondents expressing concern regarding concerns about COVID-19 from handling cash at the casino. Nearly 75% of all respondents indicated that they were “somewhat likely” or “very likely” to use cashless payments if available, and one-third said they’d be “somewhat likely” or “very likely” to visit a casino that offered cashless gaming. The Innovation Group conducted…

There is worry in Nevada about how Coronavirus has slowed tourism, and a major component in creating tourism is conventions. So can Las Vegas survive without trade shows dumping millions into the economy? Major gaming and resort companies like the Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts, and Wynn Resorts all emphasized on second quarter earnings calls that the convention business is a cash cow. And in the face of COVID-19 the loss of that vital business line has put the city in a bad spot. June was the third consecutive month without convention attendance. While that is largely tied to Nevada…

It’s been over two months since Las Vegas casinos and resorts reopened… well, some of them did. And some remain closed with promises of opening again in the future. But what does that mean exactly? Several of the most popular Vegas destinations remain dark, including The Mirage, Park MGM, The Cromwell, Planet Hollywood Resort, Rio, and the Palms. Additionally, the The Linq is not taking hotel reservations. It’s not just the big names either. Many of the popular off-Strip properties are also still closed, such as Texas Station, Fiesta Henderson, Fiesta Rancho, Eastside Cannery, Main Street Station, and Eldorado Casino….

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has signed COVID-19 legislation that will increase workplace safety the states hotel and casino employees. Additionally, it will protect businesses that are follow the health directives from frivolous Coronavirus lawsuits. MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle said the new law protects Nevada’s largest economic engine. The law comes a month after MGM Resorts International and the Culinary Union Local 226 agreed to drop MGM Resorts from a federal lawsuit and enter talks about safety concerns. The American Gaming Association welcomed the signage of Senate Bill 4 into law. “The AGA and our members applaud the bipartisan effort…

We waited and waited for Sin City to reopen, only to watch Las Vegas tourism plunge by 70% in June. Following a 78 day closure, the reopening on June 4th found hotel occupancy hurt by capacity restrictions and general fear from travelers that they might contract the virus when visiting or flying. Brent Pirosch, director of gaming consulting with the Global Gaming Group, said “The June visitation numbers were relatively good considering how challenging air travel is. The total number of passengers was nearly half of what it was in March, where March was effectively just half a month.” The…

The brand new Circa Las Vegas Casino, down on the famous Las Vegas Fremont Street, will have extensive no contact technology and services throughout when it opens late this October. The 25-story, 777 room “adults only” resort will feature technology from Intelity. The no contact experience at Circa will include mobile check-in and mobile key, as well as a fleet of 10-inch tablets that will enable contactless service and give guests digital control over their stays. Guests will be able to skip the front desk and check in directly from their smartphones, but will also be able to use the…