Mass Layoffs in Nevada Continue, Some Properties Face Permanent Closure

Casinos and other hospitality businesses in Las Vegas continue to lay off people due to the adverse effect from the coronavirus spread, with the latest being Casino Royale. According to a notice which became public Friday, effective August 10 the casino operator is permanently laying off 98 employees.

Immediate Layoff Announcement

The notice that was filed under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) August 10, says that Casino Royale continues a mass layoff started May 27, by downsizing 98 members of staff, half of whom are casino dealers and the rest of the affected job positions including a pit manager, slot hosts, other slot employees, cashiers and surveillance employees.

Best Western, the hotel chain that operates the casino said that the layoff was caused by the unforeseeable business circumstances related to the casino industry negatively impacted by the virus outbreak, and that it was not possible to comply with the 60-day in advance notice required by WARN.

Wynn Lays Off People at Le Reve- – The Dream

Also last week, Wynn Las Vegas announced it would downsize 252 workers at the Le Reve – The Dream as it closes down, while restaurant chain the Hakkasan Group announced it would close down permanently the Searsucker restaurant at Caesars Palace releasing 52 workers. The closures of the trendy classic-American restaurant and bar and Wynn’s production show were attributed to the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the property and would be effective immediately.

Before that, another casino resort announced a mass layoff of employees in a letter to state employment officials sent in July. M Resort informed the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation that 352 employees will be downsized by the company effective August 29.

“These significant drags on our business will likely continue for the foreseeable future.”

Official letter, M Resort

Tropicana Also Among the Properties Disrupted by COVID-19

Penn National Gaming, the operator of M Resort is also the owner of the Tropicana, another casino property which informed the jobless office of pending layoffs. Tropicana is planning to decrease its workforce by more than 600 people according to the official communication also sent in July.

The casino property was supposed to reopen September 1 ahead of Labor Day weekend, as of August 24 that date has been postponed till September 17, and Penn National explained the delay was due to an ongoing review of demand for travel and room nights regarding the market in Las Vegas. According to an earlier company announcement, even September 17 might not be the reopening date either as uncertainty on the market continues.