Three of Boyd Gaming's Las Vegas properties could remain closed until tourism picks up

When permitted by the state, Boyd Gaming could only reopen seven of its ten properties in Las Vegas, until tourism picks up.

The California Hotel, Main Street Station, and the Fremont Hotel might remain closed along the Fremont Street Experience, citing a reliance on tourism, especially from the Hawaiian market, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

The Cal especially draws tourists from Hawaii, gearing its marketing as a Ninth Island destination with dining and events created for Hawaiian crowds.

Boyd Gaming’s other Las Vegas properties — including the Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Aliante Casino, Eastside Cannery, Cannery, and Sam’s Town — rely on a large percentage of business from local retirees.

"Those retirees didn’t have a job before this started, don’t have a job now. They still have their income," says president and chief executive officer of Boyd Gaming Corp. Keith Smith.

He does believe that local gamblers will want to return to casinos once they are permitted to reopen.

Sisolak closed casinos closed on March 17 to curb the spread of COVID-19. While he has permitted some businesses in Nevada, including dine-in restaurants, to reopen on May 9. So far, he hasn’t said when casinos may reopen statewide. The Nevada Gaming Control Board did issue guidelines to resorts to reopen that include maintaining 50 percent capacity, masks on staff, cleaning protocols, and social distancing throughout the casino.