This Week in Gambling

The Coronavirus outbreak made it feel like a long wait for Las Vegas casinos to open again. But despite a pandemic that is still spreading, the state Gaming Control Board is not reconsidering a requirement for players to wear face masks while at casinos. They only way they would enforce a face mask requirement is if new COVID-19 cases became so bad that they overwhelmed hospitals. Control Board Chairwoman Sandra Morgan said she is not looking to change direction, even as the Southern Nevada Health District’s acting chief health officer issued pleas for business customers to wear masks to protect…

When the world went on lock-down over the Coronavirus, few would have imagined it leading to cashless casinos. But that is precisely what the American Gaming Association is asking state regulators to consider. Recently, the group released a report called Payments Modernization Policy Principles which looks at the integration of cashless options for players on casino floors. According to the AGA, enabling payment choice allows casino customers the ability to supplement cash with safe and secure digital payment options on the casino floor. This not only improves responsible gaming efforts by equipping customers with digital tools to help them monitor…

Today, CEO and developer Derek Stevens announced his newest Downtown Las Vegas property, Circa Resort & Casino, will debut October 28, 2020. Previously slated for a December 2020 launch, the 1.25 million-square-foot integrated casino-resort will open with its first five floors of amenities and state-of-the-art parking hub – Garage Mahal – ahead of schedule. Upon completion, the resort will have approximately 1,000 employees. To achieve this expedited timeline, Stevens reallocated construction resources from Circa’s hotel tower to the first five floors. Slated for completion at the end of 2020, the tower will house Circa’s 777 rooms and suites starting on…

Months after losing in Federal Court, the US Justice Department will have their online gambling appeal heard. The fight over whether the Wire Act applies to Internet betting or only sports betting is on the line! Also, more Las Vegas casinos announce their openings and we have a new game review!   A federal appellate court will hear arguments later this month on the case between the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and the Justice Department over the interpretation of the Wire Act which could decide the fate of online gambling in America. Last week, the First Circuit Court of Appeals…

The push toward Ohio sports betting is over a year old, yet some politicians are now optimistic that disagreements can be worked out so that the state can regulate the activity. Separate bills were introduced in both the House and Senate with the main difference being how sports betting would be regulated. The House bill approved in late May said it should be the Ohio Lottery Commission. The Senate version said says it should be the Casino Control Commission. Both chambers have strong Republican majorities. Expectations are that the primary sponsors of the two bills will meet at some point…

Casinos across America are starting to welcome guests back, but Harrah’s Reno will not be among them. Caesars Entertainment has announced that the company does not have plans to reopen the property. The building will now be changed into a non-gaming property and named the Reno City Center. It will consist of about 540 market-rate rental apartments. Caesars previously announced in January an agreement to sell the property, which has operated for more than 82 years. Harrah’s Las Vegas will not be effected by this. You can read more about the permanent closure of Harrah’s Reno at Yogo Net.