Can Nevada’s casinos survive on just 25 percent capacity? The glittering palaces of the Las Vegas Strip and the constellation of small, independently-owned casinos across the Silver State are about to find out. Late last week Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak announced a series of new business restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the corona virus that includes restricting the state’s casinos to just 25 percent of their total capacity.
Under the terms of the order, restaurants are barred from indoor service and can only provide pickup and delivery services. That adds additional pain to the restrictions that will likely case major problems for casino operators.
The Governor’s office is putting these new restrictions in place beginning on Tuesday of this week and will continue for at least three weeks.
Sisolak explained his position in a statement reported on by the Las Vegas Sun saying, “I know the majority of our bars and restaurants are doing their best, but these settings are proven to be high risk because they allow the opportunity for people to remove their face coverings in indoor settings around people outside of their household. That’s how the virus spreads
Nevada’s casinos were already operating at just 50 percent capacity and it’s unclear how they are expected to reduce their ability to take in revenue without additional government assistance. Virtually all of Nevada’s licensed casinos are still reeling from the several month shutdown they endured earlier in the pandemis.