COVID-19: All of Nevada's casinos shut down, per state orders

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s unprecedented bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus by ordering nonessential businesses, including casinos, to close will affect 440 licensed resorts in the state.

Every gaming device in one of the world’s gambling meccas must be turned off by Wednesday, Nevada’s governor said in announcing a monthlong, statewide closure of non-essential businesses amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus. This was confirmed Tuesday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, which announced the temporary suspension of licensee operations in a statement. 

Bars, movie theaters and gyms should also close by noon Wednesday and restaurants should shutter their dining rooms and only offer takeout or delivery in order to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, the governor said.

“Today it’s clear additional steps must be taken immediately in order to slow the spread of this deadly virus in our state,” Sisolak said at a news conference in Las Vegas. “We absolutely must take this step for every Nevadan’s health and safety. Please, please take this seriously. … Please stay home for Nevada. “

The order from Democrat Steve Sisolak Tuesday night follows similar moves by more than 10 other governors as states scramble to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Sisolak’s order gave thousands of businesses in the tourism capital less than a day to prepare. Though a number of casinos started to close their doors this week, the governor’s sweeping order shutters Nevada’s main industry, anchored by glitzy casinos lining the Las Vegas Strip.

The closures are part of federal guidance recommending social distancing. President Donald Trump has urged Americans to follow sweeping guidelines for the next few weeks, including for older residents to stay home and for all people to avoid gatherings of more than 10 as well as restaurants and bars.

Sisolak’s order comes after many casinos in Las Vegas moved to shut their doors entirely and the mayor of city said she hoped bars and restaurants would be able to stay open.

“My hope is that private industry rises to the top, that they’re allowed to stay open and take care of these families that are paycheck to paycheck,” Mayor Carolyn Goodman told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The mayor of Reno had issued an order similar to Sisolak Monday night, telling many of those non-essential businesses to close in that city starting Friday at 5 p.m. Mayor Hillary Schieve initially included casinos but rescinded that, allowing gambling operations to continue.

Nevada has reported more than 50 cases of the virus so far. For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

In Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International MGM, -6.82% and Wynn Resorts WYNN, -0.76% announced earlier in the week they planned to close their properties. Tuesday morning, three more casino resorts joined in.

The MGM casino closures of 13 properties included the Bellagio and its famous fountain show in front, which often draws a crowd to watch the fountains shooting as high 460 feet into the air, choreographed to lights and music.

The Hoover Dam, near the Arizona border and another Nevada tourist attraction, is temporarily closing to visitors “because of the nature of the structure and an inability to implement social distancing standards recommended by the” CDC, according to a statement.

With businesses closing and tourism expected to drop off, the state is forecasting a financial hit, but how big is unknown.

In Nevada, gambling taxes are second only to sales taxes as a percentage of the state’s annual budget. The leisure and hospitality industry directly employs one of every four workers in the state and has an economic output of about $68 billion in Nevada, according to the Nevada Resort Association.

The state’s biennial Legislature isn’t scheduled to meet again until 2021, and legislative leaders are not yet planning to go into a special session to address Nevada’s budget.

Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson, both Democrats, said in a joint statement provided to the Associated Press on Tuesday that they’re evaluating all options and they’re working closely with the governor.

But “at this time, we have no plans to go into a special session,” they said.

State officials have not yet released any numbers of how many people have filed claims for unemployment benefits over the past few days.

Sisolak said over the weekend that the state was in “relatively good shape” to pay unemployment claims but it cannot last forever and the state was working to get some additional assistance from the federal government.