Liv Hospitality CEO Caleb Arceneaux said traffic was above average at casinos in Deadwood, South Dakota, and hotel occupancy was at least 85% during this weekend's reopening.
For weeks, the burning question facing casino operators nationwide has been: "If you open, will they come?"This weekend 11 casinos in the historic destination town, which was the last in the nation to close its commercial gaming establishments, became the first to reopen.
Players enjoy a game of craps on the first weekend 11 casinos reopened in Deadwood, South Dakota after being shut down during the COVID-19 crisis.That's important as casino operators nationwide balance the cost of reopening with the ramp, or lack thereof, in business.owns 41 facilities in 19 states. CEO Jay Snowden said he's watching demand closely at tribal casinos that opened first.In Montana,operates 3,000 slot machines, which were turned on for play May 4.
"It was very well received," Joe Asher, CEO of William Hill US, said. "Customers were really patient and waiting in line in their cars." William Hill plans to run the drive-thrus again, ahead of next weekend's return for Nascar at the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. In Deadwood, South Dakota, social distancing rules that call for 6 feet of separation are in effect in bars, restaurants and on gaming floors.
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