Nevada posts major growth before shut down

The gaming industry in Nevada poster major growth in February as casino win was up 3% to US$1.04 billion.

US.- Every casino in the US is closed, but Nevada saw major growth before the shutdown. During February, casinos in the state reached win of US$1.04 billion, 3% higher year-on-year.

According to Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Michael Lawton, the main reasons for such good results were the leap year and the weather.

“There were no storms in February compared to last winter,” Lawton said. “That helped bolster the numbers.”

Reno and Washoe County winnings sky-rocketed (27.1% up). Meanwhile, South Lake Tahoe properties reported a jump of about 21.4% year-on-year.

Still, Las Vegas Strip casino winnings were flat for the second month of the year. Downtown properties Las Vegas were down by 4.1%.

Nevada and its growth allowed it to collect US$68.9 million in gambling taxes. That’s 15.6% higher than February 2019.

Casino shut down

Governor Steve Sisolak has ordered all of the state’s casinos to close their doors as part of efforts to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

His announcement comes after several of the largest Las Vegas venues voluntarily pulled down the shutters on their properties.

MGM and Wynn Resorts were the first to announce they would close, followed by Las Vegas Sands today.

Gov. Sisolak’s said he expects casinos to be closed until the end of the month at least, with an extended closure period possible.

“Today it is clear additional steps must be taken immediately to slow the spread of this deadly virus in our state,” Sisolak said.