New York City was one of the hardest hit cities during the peak of the pandemic, and much of the city has not yet returned to normal. However, Governor Andrew Cuomo today hinted that good news may be coming for NYC casinos. The governor said that an announcement was due next week during a conference call with reporters, but stopped short of confirming that casinos will reopen.
However, he did confirm that it will be positive news.
Land Casinos Across the World Struggling
While the news that they can reopen is positive, many NY casino owners will no doubt be worried by recent revenue reports and business news related to other casinos across the world.
- Multiple large casino groups and casinos have reported drastic drops in revenues. Only one Atlantic City casino made a profit in Q2.
- Casinos across the United States are operating under severe restrictions, including some operating at less than 50% capacity.
- Just this week, MGM Resorts laid off 18,000 workers amidst financial woes with no set time frame for their return.
As these stories make clear, casinos reopening does not necessarily mean business will return to normal. In fact, it’s almost certain that it won’t, and NY casino operators will doubtless have many questions and concerns.
Cuomo Criticized for Cautious Approach
Governor Cuomo has come under pressure and has been criticized for his cautious approach to reopening casinos, restaurants, and other entertainment venues. However, he has held strong, refusing to risk relighting the COVID-19 fire that crippled his city earlier this year.
Casinos in New Jersey and others have already reopened, further fueling the criticism. However, as we mentioned earlier, only one casino (The Golden Nugget) in New Jersey booked a profit in Q2 2020.
Other Options for New York Gamblers
If you feel unsafe returning to NYC land casinos, we don’t blame you. First, we can’t assume the pandemic is over, and second, the experience will be very different. There will be masks, perspex screens and social distancing. All of these impact the gaming experience.
New Yorkers can drive to New Jersey with relative ease, and can play live dealer games at New Jersey’s regulated online casinos. These casinos won’t allow you to play from New York, but as soon as you cross the border into NJ, you’ll have access to blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and all sorts of game shows from Evolution Gaming.
Obviously, this isn’t an ideal scenario, but for players who don’t want to take the risk of visiting NYC land casinos, it’s an option. We can attest that these casinos offer some of the best live dealer games available online.
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