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Derek Stevens said there will on the 4th.” be plenty of emotions flowing There’s been no better ambaswith the reopening of Las Vegas sador for Las Vegas’ reopening casinos after a 2½-month closure because of the coronavirus.

It’s been quite the struggle for Gaming a city that counts on tourists and conventioneers to drive its econInc. omy, and now faces an uncertain future on when people will feel Buck Wargo comfortable enough to fly and @brianbuckwargo make Las Vegas, Las Vegas again.

Stevens, owner of the D Las Vethan Stevens, who generated gas and Golden Gate hotel and more national buzz and publicity casinos, said it’s his nature to be on May 27 than the muted lateoptimistic about the city’s recovnight press conference of Gov. Photo courtesy Circa Resort ery, but added there’s a lot of unknowns as to when and whether Steve Sisolak, who was dealing with a possible COVID-19 scare of Construction continues on the 777-room Circa Resort in downtown Las Vegas. there’s a second wave of the corohe and his staff which led to his he paid, but said it was something town casinos comes as construcHe said he only has a rooting internavirus. For now, he’s just looking canceling a televised broadcast he and his team thought about tion continues for a December est for sooner rather than later. forward to the reopening. the night before. weeks ago and made arrangeunveiling of the Circa Resort & “I’m more of an optimist with

“There’s a little bit of a right of Stevens’ promotion of giving ments to buy tickets when prices Casino with its 777 rooms and the regard to the Las Vegas rebound,” passage as a country and as a city away 1,000 free one-way flights were cheap. largest sportsbook in the city. Stevens said. “There’s a lot of great that we got through something, to Las Vegas from dozens of cities “We thought this would jump“The reopenings are giving things coming to pass, but it’s all and there’s a lot of emotion inacross the country were gobbled start the whole process and someme a great trial run on what to contingent on what happens with volved for a lot of people — both up in two hours. He added anthing that would have pretty good expect before we open Circa for that number (of infections), not employees as well as guests,” Steother 1,000 that were snatched up interest,” Stevens said. “I did not sure,” Stevens said. “Whoever just in Las Vegas, but nationally. realize when would have thought I would have If the trend continues in the right w e b o u g h t a chance to open three casinos in direction, Las Vegas will have a 1,0 0 0 f lights one year? This is pretty awesome.” great rebound. we would have Stevens said he feels confident “From hanging outside at the 5,000 applicants about the safety measures put pool, gambling a little bit and havwithin a few in place by the Gaming Control ing some drinks, there’s a lot of hours. It was Board limiting capacity to 50 perdemand to come to Vegas.” great to see that cent and implementing social Stevens said he’s excited for the type of demand distancing with limits on people return of major American sports to come back to at tables, along with employees and wagering on it and that CirVegas. wearing masks that will help ease ca is moving ahead with its two

“ H o p e f u l l y concerns of tourists while giving a NFL pick contests with $4 million they stay with different experience. in prizes. With the shutdown of us. But I’m hap“I think the governor and Nesports, Stevens joked he was able py if they stay vada had a tough spot,” Stevens to cut down on his betting losses at the Golden said. “The state of Nevada has the to focus on learning to use techNugget or Caeworst unemployment percentage nology for conferences and meetsars (Palace).” in the country, and it’s impacted ings. Meanwhile, he said he’s excit

His two propthe gaming industry. It’s impored to see major American sports erties haven’t tant that Nevada sets the bar on return, even though German socdisclosed what how to do this, and they have put cer, UFC and Korean baseball are r e s e r v a t i o n s a thorough plan in place. filling a void for some bettors. have been like “Vegas needs to be best in class. “This could be one heck of a late ahead of the The key element is to open resummer and fall with the potential Photo courtesy Circa Sports reopening. Two sponsibly, and I think that’s what NHL playoffs, Masters and football D Las Vegas owner Derek Stevens opened Circa Sports a year ago. d ay s b e f o r e his promotion, you are going to see in Nevada.”

As for handicapping the timecoming back and we’ll see what happens with baseball and the vens said. “I think when somejust as quickly. Those visitors will Stevens said the two were at 5 line of the Las Vegas recovery, SteNBA,” Stevens said. “I think dething is new again, there’s always be flying to Las Vegas this weekpercent occupancy but expected vens said he’s “better at picking an mand will be huge and there’s a a blend of anticipation, a little bit end and next, and Stevens didn’t strong bookings with the free underdog in an NFL game” than lot of pent-up demand for major of excitement and trepidation. All even require them to stay at his flight promotion. trying to assess a virus, which he televised sports.” of those emotions will be in play properties. He won’t disclose what The reopening of the downsaid is best left to medical experts. BuckWargo@GamingToday.com