Final beam of Circa resort tower moved into place – Video
 
Final beam of Circa resort tower moved into place – Video

A crane whisked the final beam in the construction of downtown Las Vegas’ Circa resort property into place Friday morning, June 19, and crews paused momentarily, then continued working to ensure the casino’s Oct. 28 opening. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Gov. Sisolak tours casino property after reopening – Video
 
Gov. Sisolak tours casino property after reopening – Video

Gov. Steve Sisolak and Sandra Morgan, chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, participated in a tour of the Wynn Las Vegas hotel-casino where they share their first thoughts on casinos reopening. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Treasure Island reboots operations after coronavirus shutdown – Video
 
Treasure Island reboots operations after coronavirus shutdown – Video

When casinos shut down, not only were tourists unseen on the Las Vegas Strip, but jobs were temporarily lost. Treasure Island took the months off to remodel and fix the property, adjusting the casino for COVID-19 norms. Now that they’re open again, management is slowly hiring back staff as guests return. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Treasure Island reboots operations after coronavirus shutdown – Video
 
Treasure Island reboots operations after coronavirus shutdown – Video

When casinos shut down, not only were tourists unseen on the Las Vegas Strip, but jobs were temporarily lost. Treasure Island took the months off to remodel and fix the property, adjusting the casino for COVID-19 norms. Now that they’re open again, management is slowly hiring back staff as guests return. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Electronic Marquees above the Las Vegas Strip: Welcome Back
 
Electronic Marquees above the Las Vegas Strip: Welcome Back

Electronic marquees above the Las Vegas Strip display a message “Welcome Back.” After 78 days without gambling Las Vegas casinos begin to reopen, ushering in gusts eager to try their luck. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas-Review Journal) @bizutesfaye

Health experts: Smoking in casinos should be banned – Video
 
Health experts: Smoking in casinos should be banned – Video

Experts say smoking can spread the COVID-19 coronavirus. But not because of airborne particulates. The virus could spread from a smoker’s likely pattern of fingers-to-mouth-to-gaming-device. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Resorts World Las Vegas lights up – Video
 
Resorts World Las Vegas lights up – Video

Construction crews tested exterior lights at Resorts World on the Las Vegas Strip, May 19. (David Guzman/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Binion’s gaming machines down – VIDEO
 
Binion’s gaming machines down – VIDEO

The computer system, slot machines and video poker at the Four Queens and Binion’s in downtown Las Vegas were down on Friday afternoon, Feb. 28, 2020. (Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Four Queens’ slot machines down – VIDEO
 
Four Queens’ slot machines down – VIDEO

The computer system, slot machines and video poker at the Four Queens and Binion’s in downtown Las Vegas were down on Friday afternoon, Feb. 28, 2020. (Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

MGM Resorts last Las Vegas operator standing in Osaka bid – VIDEO
 
MGM Resorts last Las Vegas operator standing in Osaka bid – VIDEO

Japan is getting ready to issue three highly coveted gaming licenses. The country’s gaming market is estimated to be worth more than $25 billion a year once resorts open in 2025. If the estimates stand up, Japan would become the second-largest gaming market in the world behind Chinese gaming enclave Macau. MGM and at least eight other companies had been vying for the Japanese licenses. In 2019 Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Wynn Resorts Ltd. turned their attention to other areas. Caesars Entertainment Corp. dropped out of the race altogether. MGM teamed up with Japanese financial services group Orix for its bid for a gaming license. MGM/Orix group was the only one to participate in the RFP process. “We think MGM is in a very good position in Osaka at this point” – Union Gaming analyst John DeCree (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Caesars Entertainment Corp.’s New Testing Grounds
 
Caesars Entertainment Corp.’s New Testing Grounds

Caesars is using about 44,000 square feet inside The Linq Hotel to experiment with technology to attract younger audiences. (Todd Prince/Las Vegas Review-Journal)