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Gambling Today: Arizona Casinos Offer Glimpse of What Reopening Looks Like

Amid Las Vegas casinos staying closed, Arizona casinos reopen strong. Others around the nation are beginning to open up as well.

Frankie Taddeo

While Las Vegas casinos remain closed per Governor Steve Sisolak’s demands, casinos around neighboring Arizona reopened strong this past weekend. Casinos around Phoenix offered a preview into what post COVID-19 gambling life could look like around the country in the very near future. 

As we can ascertain from the tweet above, long lines began forming in the early morning hours and wrapped around Harrah’s Ak-Chin casino, eager for doors to open. 

After months of boredom and binge-watching tv shows, gamblers were excited to get inside and try their luck at a Wheel of Fortune machine or their favorite pit area game.

Slot machines were arranged to allow for social distancing while seating at various table-games was limited.

The big distinction between Arizona properties and Las Vegas properties is the Arizona properties tend to draw more locals whereas the Las Vegas strip aims to cater to a national and international market with lavish attractions and gourmet eateries.

Commercial casinos in Louisiana and Arkansas opened on Monday, while those in Mississippi plan to open on Thursday. Those located in Missouri plan to open on June 1. The states say that the properties have been redesigned with social distancing restrictions and sanitation safeguards in place to protect against a resurgence of the coronavirus.

Eldorado Resorts Inc., which opened its three Louisiana casinos (Isle of Capri Lake Charles, Belle of Baton Rouge and Eldorado Shreveport) on Monday, will look to reopen many of its other properties nationwide soon. Eldorado owns and operates 23 casinos in 11 states: Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey and Ohio. According to CDCGaming Reports, “the company is on the verge of acquiring Caesars Entertainment Corp. for an estimated $17.3 billion, a deal expected to close by the end of June.”

From diamondjacks.com
From diamondjacks.com

However, not all the news was positive in Louisiana as one property announced it would not be able to survive the coronavirus shutdown. The DiamondJacks Casino & Hotel in Bossier City announced Friday that it would be closing its doors for good “due to business circumstances caused by the unexpected impact of the coronavirus.”

“In light of the sudden, unforeseeable market conditions that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, the difficult decision has been made to close the casino,” said Diana Thornton, Vice President of Finance at DiamondJacks. “We have worked diligently to be a valued member of the Shreveport-Bossier City business community. We are saddened for the loss of a longtime business here in Louisiana.”

Casinos remain closed in Nevada, where the economy is heavily dependent on gambling and tourism. Nevada gambling officials last week approved rules to limit customers, keep gamblers spaced apart—while closing nightclubs, pool parties, spas and buffets when the state’s casinos do reopen. With the immense reduction in attractions and amenities, the Las Vegas strip will face a tremendous task in convincing gamblers to travel, especially via plane, in the upcoming summer months. 

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Frankie Taddeo
FRANKIE TADDEO

Frankie Taddeo is a successful high-stakes fantasy football player who created the first-ever DFS program offered in a Las Vegas sportsbook. Besides contributing NFL fantasy analysis with a Vegas slant, Frankie primarily performs as Sports Illustrated's Senior Betting Analyst providing his significant experience and resources in the sports betting scene. 

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