Sin City Struggles: Las Vegas and Macau Ride the COVID-19 Roller Coaster
Casino's battle with COVID-19, first installment.
Sin City is enduring a raw deal as the COVID-19 pandemic devastates the tourism-driven economy of Las Vegas, Nevada. As casinos close their doors and locals line up for food assistance, the city is grappling with an economic crisis akin to the 2008 financial catastrophe.
Las Vegas, pulsating with energy from gambling, concerts, and boxing matches, thrives on social interaction and huddling close. closure of casinos, bars, and eateries on March 18 left casino owners hauling out hidden keysets, as these establishments had been open 24/7 for years on end, even during 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and the tragic 2017 music festival shooting. Now, a ghost town-like ambiance blankets the city, with eerie emptiness on the Strip and Fremont Street, save for the occasional homeless folk or casino security.
Macau, a special administrative region in China, renowned for its gambling industry, faces a similar struggle. The once prosperous city follows China's stringent policies, enforcing a 15-day closure of casinos in February 2020, with only a brief disruption in 2018 due to Typhoon Mangkhut. Afterward, Macau returned to business, but COVID-19 has forced another shutdown.
"This time, we'll face a longer and more severe crisis than other regions," warns Steven Miller, an economics professor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The unemployment rate could skyrocket to 30% by July, surpassing the 3.9% from February 2008.
Las Vegas' main economic pillars β tourism, conferences, shopping, and sports β crumble under lockdowns as the world gets wary of large gatherings. Meanwhile, Macau, raking in 80% of its revenues from gambling activities, grapples with limited tourist volumes due to travel restrictions and guidelines mandating half of its slot machines to remain switched off.
Both cities, however, hold onto slim hope, as gambling establishments gear up to reopen. New safety measures, such as temperature checks, personal protective equipment, and social distancing protocols, will redefine the casino experience. Famous casinos like Caesars, MGM, and Macau staples reshape their halls to accommodate sanitizer stations, protective barriers, and adjusted seating arrangements.
Despite optimism, the future remains uncertain. The reopening dates for Las Vegas and Macau casinos yet elusive, the full impact of the pandemic on these once-booming industries yet to unfold. Amidst the chaos, however, one thing remains constant: the relentless pulse of Sin City beats on, promising that the city will rise like a phoenix, because β in the words of the lights on casino marquees β "We will return."
What about the reopening of casinos in Las Vegas and Macau amidst the coronavirus pandemic? Steve Miller warns that the unemployment rate could skyrocket to 30% by July, surpassing the 2008 financial crisis levels. The economies of both cities rely heavily on tourism, conferences, and gambling activities, which are now crumbling under lockdowns as the world becomes wary of large gatherings.
Gambling establishments in both cities are gearing up for reopening, implementing new safety measures like temperature checks, personal protective equipment, and social distancing protocols. Renowned casinos like Caesars, MGM, and Macau staples are reshaping their halls to accommodate sanitizer stations, protective barriers, and adjusted seating arrangements.
Innovations in casino culture are becoming mandatory, with casinos redefining the traditional gambling experience to adapt to the new normal. Even games like blackjack, poker, roulette, slots, lotteries, and casino-and-gambling activities are feeling the impact of the pandemic trends.
However, the future remains uncertain, with reopening dates elusive and the full impact of the pandemic on these once-booming industries yet to unfold. Amidst the chaos, responsible gambling remains crucial for casino personalities and enthusiasts alike.
Legendary casinos like Las Vegas still promise to rise like a phoenix because β as the lights on casino marquees suggest β "We will return." The gambling trends might change, but the relentless pulse of Sin City beats on, promising a new, more responsible era for casino culture.
