Calling for a timeline

Matt Maddox, the CEO of Wynn Resorts, has called on Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak to start allowing Las Vegas Strip casinos to reopen mid to late May. Sisolak closed all casinos in the state from March 18, with the shutdown set to remain in place for the foreseeable future. 

certain benchmarks will first need to be hit

Maddox noted that wide-ranging safety measures would have to be implemented for conditional openings in May. He said he is also aware that certain benchmarks will first need to be hit in terms of the curtailment of the virus spread. 

The governor has said there is still no defined date for the reopening of nonessential operations, so another closure extension could be in the cards.

Safety measures for reopening

In his opinion piece on the Nevada Independent website, Maddox praised Sisolak’s efforts in dealing with the coronavirus crisis. Speaking about what the gradual casino reopening would look like, he said: “Begin with reduced occupancy, physical distancing measures in place, temperature checks and no large gatherings. We all need to wear a mask.”

reduced occupancy, physical distancing measures in place, temperature checks and no large gatherings”

Wynn Resorts has been developing its own additional health and safety measures for when its properties resume operation. These include allowing up to four people to go in the same elevator at a given time. Patrons would only be able to enter the resorts through doors that are propped open, automatically opened, or manually opened by an employee. 

Wynn casinos suffer similar fate globally

Wynn Resorts’ global properties are the Wynn Las Vegas, Encore Boston Harbor, Wynn Palace (Cotai), and the Wynn Macau. The United States facilities were closed between March 15 and March 17. US employees are getting full pay until May 15. This will cost $3m per day, or $180m for a two-month closure period.

The two Macau establishments closed their doors for 15 days in February following a similar shutdown of nonessential businesses on the island. They reopened on February 20, but with heavy restrictions on travel from mainland still in place, patron numbers and revenues remain low. Precautionary measures deployed by Macau casinos include mandatory temperature checks upon entry, fewer slots machines and table games in operation, and rules against the congregation of patrons.