Professor I. Nelson Rose, Gambling and the Law How do you know Macau casinos are in trouble economically? Well, if a major news source says there is a “silver lining” in being shut down that may be an indication. And that’s what the Asia Gaming Brief  did then they published an article titled “Macau Casino Closures Provide Some Relief from Cash Burn.” Now, casinos in Macau have so few gamblers, in fact, so little revenue of any kind, that the government finally ordering them completely closed is a small blessing.  At least this way, the casinos do not have to…

Thought we were past the dangers of Covid lock-downs? So did we! But now, casino operators like MGM, the Las Vegas Sands, and Wynn Resorts are learning the hard way that the Coronavirus can still hurt them… even from thousands of miles away. Casinos in Macau have been dark for several days now, shut down due to a new Covid outbreak. These American companies all have a lot invested in that market, and each could lose millions of dollars if things do not improve quickly. Already, the Las Vegas Sands has reported second quarter results which show that reduced visitors…

On July 11th, the Chines shut down all casinos for the first time since the first Coronavirus outbreak. Now, Macau casino giants are standing dark as the worst outbreak of the virus to hit the city spreads. People have been ordered to stay home, venturing out only for essential services. Police are monitoring the people who do wander out, and serious punishment awaits anyone who disobeys the government. With over 30 Macau casinos shuttered, these recent events have sent stocks of gambling companies falling… all as authorities struggle to contain the worst Coronavirus outbreak yet in the world’s biggest gambling…

Several weeks ago we reported on some interesting moves from Tilman Fertitta. Now, the Las Vegas Travelodge and an adjoining strip shopping mall have been closed in what looks like the next step toward a new Strip Casino. Fertitta owns the Golden Nugget Casino on Fremont Street, as well as others around the country. Near the end of April, he purchased 6 acres on Las Vegas Boulevard across the street from City Center. Speculation was that the $270 million purchase could be developed into a new casino. Now, the strip shopping center and Las Vegas Travelodge currently occupying the land…

The pandemic challenged the gaming industry. And while Vegas has recovered nicely, Station Casinos has had to make some difficult choices. Now, the decision has been make to demolish three of their properties. Texas Station, Fiesta Rancho and Fiesta Henderson have all been closed since the pandemic began. But as other casinos were able to reopen in the aftermath, those sites have remained shuttered. Their customers have moved on to new sites, making the ultimate decision to close them forever a simple one. The land those casinos occupied was over 107 acres of prime real estate, which will be sold….

It’s almost as if the pandemic is a distant memory. Las Vegas casinos no longer require masks or social distancing. But thousands of miles away on the other side of the planet, things are not going nearly as well. And now, it could cost some of the biggest gaming companies serious cash. China’s largest gambling hub is an island called Macau. And the latest surge of Coronavirus there has resulted in the government locking down the area and shutting down the casinos. Major American operators like MGM, Wynn, and the Las Vegas Sands, have significant investments in the market and…