Vegas News June 28, 2020
Before we get to this week’s Vegas News….. there’s a lot of news and information about COVID-19 around the country. There’s even a lot to follow in Las Vegas and it appears as though things are trending in the wrong direction.
This Vegas News column is not your one-stop shop for information on the virus. We’re not going to avoid discussing COVID-19 but will focus more on what you can do today and tomorrow when visiting Las Vegas.
The news available for COVID-19 can be confusing so I just look for data and make my own opinion. I visit the Nevada Independent when I’m looking for information on how COVID-19 is impacting Nevada. The data is updated at least daily. Coincidentally, I approach sports betting similarly. I try to avoid the media and make bets based on data and other emotional situations.
Having said that, the big news in Las Vegas is related to COVID-19. Everyone must wear a mask or face covering when they’re out in public – this includes casinos. You must now wear a face covering in a casino whether you’re gambling or just walking around a casino or any other business in Nevada. The hope is that this will slow the spread of coronavirus. This local ABC news report if you’d like to know more about the new mandate.
COVID-related and Reopening Quick Hits
- The Culinary Union will file a lawsuit against major Las Vegas Strip casino companies in order to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace on Monday.
- A Caesars Entertainment employee has passed away. Read more here.
- MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment are both requiring that guests wear a mask at all of their properties around the country.
- El Dorado Cantina next door to Sapphire is reopening. So many people love this place if you’re looking for a Mexican restaurant near the Vegas Strip. Read more here.
- Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan is reopening. Unlike the buffet at Wynn, you’ll have to get up and walk to the buffet for food. Read more here.
- Wet Republic at MGM Grand and Liquid Pool at Aria are opening for the summer. Read more here.
- Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace Las Vegas is reopening on July 2. Read more here.
- Searsucker at Caesars Palace is reopening. Read more here.
- Station Casinos is keeping Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho closed for a year. Read more here.
- Oyo pushed back its opening to July 15. Read more here.
- The Palomino is reopening…kinda. Read more here.
Caesars merger with Eldorado Resorts almost done
The mega-merger between Caesars Entertainment and Eldorado Resorts has been cleared by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Details became clear on Friday when the FTC required Eldorado divest a couple more assets in order to move forward.
The deal isn’t complete but the pathway is clear. The two companies still need approvals from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Nevada Gaming Commission, New Jersey Casino Control Commission, Indiana Gaming Commission, and Indiana Horse Racing Commission before being complete.
The deal has been cleared by the FTC and there are a couple more hurdles for the two companies to wrap up. The deal is expected to be finished by the end of July.
Circa Resort is 21+ and now taking reservations
Big Vegas News!
Last week we shared details that Circa Resort & Casino will open the first five floors of the property on October 28. The hotel will be ready for guests by December 28.
Circa – Now Taking Reservations for Rooms and Suites
Circa is now taking reservations for rooms and suites. The resort has a wide variety of room options. I shared renderings of the King room, Circa Suite, and Circa Studio earlier this week. You can check out the reservation page for even more renderings.
Prior to opening reservations, @CircaLasVegas tweeted some information that surprised many. “Once, Las Vegas held a certain mystique as this fabulous place where only grown-ups could play. Call us old-fashioned, but we think adults need some of that mystique back in their lives. Book your room starting June 24th at 9 am for #CircaLasVegas, a 21+ experience.”
Circa will be the only 21+ casino in Las Vegas. The free entertainment at the Fremont Street Experience draws families. The downtown Las Vegas casinos that aren’t the Golden Nugget don’t actually have too many kids. Parents don’t tend to bring children to hotels that lack amenities for the kids.
Having said that, the pool at Circa becomes even more of a hotspot. The poolside experience should be great. Speaking of poolside experiences, you’ll be able to reserve cabanas by the pool in early July.
Resort World Las Vegas room renderings
Resorts World Las Vegas released details on two of the three hotel room styles that will be available when the property opens next summer. The rendering above is The Conrad premium guest room. Each of the rooms will be 550 square feet and include luxe finishes and the bright design above.
The Hilton Las Vegas rooms will be the entry-level room at Resorts World Las Vegas. These rooms measure 400 square feet. That’s about 35% smaller than The Conrad hotel tower rooms. I’m not sure how I feel about this design but I’ll save an opinion for when I see the room itself.
Resorts World will also have high roller rooms in the LXR Hotels tower. Details on those rooms haven’t been revealed yet.
I snagged these renderings from Travel Weekly. You can see more renderings at the Resorts World gallery.
Featured at TravelZork This Week
Exploring The Re-Imagined Wynn Las Vegas Buffet
Quick Hits – Vegas News
There’s always a few more nuggets of Vegas News happening in and around Las Vegas to share beyond the big stories. Here’s a little more reading if you can’t get enough Vegas, baby.
- Remember the Buffalo Bar at Rampart? Well, Silverton also has a dedicated area for BUFFALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO slots. Read more here.
- Vegas casinos could soon be going cashless. Read more here.
- M Resort is dropping resort fees for the time being. Read more here.
- Semi-related, M Resort will have July 4th fireworks. Read more here.
- I’m not a finance guy but this tweet about Blackstone and this Bellagio loan article both have me paying attention to real estate deals. There’s also an article in the Financial Times if you have credentials and would like to know more.
