"The year got off to a strong start, building on the momentum from outstanding organic growth, increased profitability across our businesses and better-than-expected initial results from our transformative acquisition which we realized in the fourth quarter of 2019," said Lorne Weil, Executive Chairman of Inspired. "However, the COVID-19 global pandemic resulted in the temporary closure of the land-based retail businesses of our customers with continuation of many of the associated expenses, which had a material negative impact on our first quarter results."

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"We acknowledge our responsibility as an employer and entertainment facility to open with an environment that maintains the highest level of recommended health protocols possible," said Louise Cornelius, general manager of Oneida Gaming.

Vice President of L’Auberge Casino, Kim Ginn stated that the company's top priority is the safety of its team members and guests. " We have been working closely with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, state and local leaders, and public health officials to finalize comprehensive Phase I reopening protocols and new health and safety precautions," says Ginn.

At Caesars Palace, card tables, dice games and even slot machines are being retooled across the casino floor with social distancing and disinfection in mind, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, Tony Rodio explained.   "We will be deactivating every other slot machine and removing the stool from the game," he said, standing at an darkened slot machine at the center of three-machine row. "A customer can't even stand here and play this game because the game's not even active, and so we will do that throughout the whole floor."   At card tables, the number of seats will be reduced from six to three, he said. And say goodbye to the classic casino scene of a crowd cheering a winning streak.  "Nobody will be able to be within 6 feet of any of the three customers that are playing," Rodio said. "You're certainly not face-to-face."

Sycuan also plans to use a self-cleaning antimicrobial coating throughout the property, thermal cameras at entrances for temperature detection, mark the floors to adhere to physical distancing, adding plexiglass shields and more. “We are slowly opening select venues and gaming areas in phase one of our reopening and will continue to evaluate our reopening strategy to maintain a safe environment for all,” Cody J. Martinez, Chairman, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation said.

Gaming Commission executive director Allen Godfrey confirmed the reopening date to WLOX-TV and the Sun Herald. He said the commission will release an order Friday with safety guidelines, which are expected to include requirements for social distancing between customers and frequent cleaning of slot machines and other equipment.

Even though casinos still aren't allowed to reopen for gaming under the terms of Nevada's 'Roadmap To Recovery', the Nevada Gaming Commission says restaurants inside casinos can get back to business.  

"We are anticipating very large crowds," Hard Rock International chairman Jim Allen said. "We saw opens last week in other parts of the U.S. and frankly, volumes are tremendous." Allen's projection comes just after hundreds of people stood in line Tuesday waiting to enter a casino in central Oklahoma that was allowed to reopen with social distancing restrictions and sanitation safeguards in place. To guard against a resurgence of the coronavirus, Hard Rock plans to limit crowds to 50 percent of capacity, create sanitizing stations, keep some machines turned off to support social distancing, use dividers at tables, shields for dealers and begin thermal body imaging at its larger casinos.  Employees will also be equipped with gloves and masks.  Hard Rock's plan comes on the heels of similar measures at rival MGM Resorts, which released its “Seven-Point Safety Plan” Tuesday

According to a trading update by the company, the decline in online sports betting had been "less than anticipated," as customers had flocked to alternatives when their favorite sports events had been scrapped, such as table tennis, emerging market football, and gaming. William Hill said it had also seen a 5% growth online in the US, where it offers sports betting in four states. The company said it had “accelerated” product development in the US, and planned to launch its online casino later this year.  "We remain focused on player safety, employing ever more customer protection. We are taking care of our teams, securing as many employment opportunities as possible and we are ready to power up the business as soon as Covid-19 restrictions permit," said chief executive Ulrik Bengtsson.

“Once approved, West Virginia casinos can begin offering iGaming under the emergency rules and [with] minimum internal controls,” John Myers, director of the West Virginia Lottery Commission.," said. “Those rules will be good for 15 months until the permanent legislative rule is adopted by the legislature.”  West Virginia wants to work with other states to offer interstate poker, depending on how courts rule on a reinterpretation of the Wire Act that says interstate gambling should not be allowed. West Virginia’s rules would allow “reciprocal agreements” with other states as long as the games are “not inconsistent with federal law” or the laws of those states.