With all land-based casinos inside of the USA closed because of the Coronavirus pandemic, some big-time industry leaders have stepped up to assist with quarantine and sanitization efforts. With Arkansas declaring that casino closures will extend through at least April 30, gaming facilities and hotels could become rescue centers and first aid shelters.
With US gaming laws providing for legitimate mobile casinos to become the top option for the gambling crowd, empty facilities and deep-pocketed casino owners have an opportunity to make a difference in the fight to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Sheldon Adelson Donates Two Million Masks To Trump, New York, Nevada
CEO and founder of Las Vegas Sands, Sheldon Adelson, has acquired two million surgical masks and will be donating them to a variety of efforts that are being hardest hit by the spread of the Coronavirus.
Two hundred fifty thousand masks will be given to the Trump administration and their COVID-19 task force. The rest of the 1.75 million masks will be split between Adelson’s home state of Nevada and New York state, which has become an epicenter for the virus.
The masks were soured from China, oddly enough, the same country where the first case of the virus appeared months ago. Adelson is a long time supporter of the Republican Party and was eager to support President Trump and Vice President Pence in their efforts to keep America safe.
Adelson has a net worth of just under $30 billion and is ranked 17th on the Forbes list of wealthiest Americans. His donation to fight the spread of the Coronavirus is considerable and has inspired other industry entities to join the cause.
Other area Las Vegas casinos have donated to local food banks and have given cash donations to local charities. Many entities have extended pay and benefits to employees who are out of work due to the closures, but not all are on board with staff support.
Just like with the US economy, and it’s expected record upturn in unemployment requests, Nevada and the gaming industry is expected to experience significant loss. Legitimate casinos and sportsbooks will undoubtedly open up for business again, but what’s not so certain is the effect the collateral damage will have on casino employees and vacationers planning on visiting the region.
Casino Hotels In Detroit Open For First Responders
The Greektown Casino and Hotel in Detroit has been closed for weeks but has recently opened it’s forty rooms to house firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals who do not want to travel home and risk exposing their family members to COVID-19.
Detroit has been hit particularly hard, and the Detroit News is reporting that 21 fire department members have come down with the Coronavirus. With infections so rampant in the inner-city, isolation is critical. The otherwise closed casino offers plenty of that.
The temporary residents of the hotel are under constant medical surveillance, and no quarantined or currently ill first responders are allowed to stay there. Other USA casinos will be required to donate their floor and hotel space before this epidemic has concluded.