The “most difficult economic challenge” ever for casinos

The American Gaming Association (AGA), the trade body representing gambling in the US has said that the current COVID-19 pandemic is the “most difficult economic challenge” the casino industry has ever had to face.

Bill Miller, the chief executive of the AGA said in a recent press conference that, “Gaming’s record popularity prior to COVID-19, as well as our resilience in the midst of such adversity, is evidence of the industry’s foundation for continued success as we emerge from the pandemic.”

Indeed the US casino industry saw a huge drop of 79% in revenues in the second quarter of the year because of the enforced closures due to the pandemic.

In Las Vegas casinos had to shutter in mid-March till beginning of June, now according to the AGA only a few are still closed including the Cromwell and Park MGM, with the MGM Mirage slated to reopen on August 27^th.