MGM Resorts spilled some details about its casinos reopening during its first-quarter earnings call. The international casino operator will reopen casinos around the country when local governments allow them to. During the call, a representative for the company mentioned that Mississippi might open before Nevada and New Jersey but that was more of a hunch than anything.
The company did get specific about how it will reopen casinos in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts won’t open all Las Vegas casinos at the same time. Rather, they will open in phases. The representatives on the call identified two specific Las Vegas casinos that will open during the first phase.
New York-New York and Bellagio will be the first two MGM Resorts casinos to open in Las Vegas. The company could open a third during this first phase but they haven’t revealed which casino that might be.
New Health And Safety Policies For Casinos
During the call, MGM Resorts reps said the company will be changing the layout of its casino floors. On Friday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board released its health and safety policies for the resumption of gaming operations. When Bellagio, New York-New York, and other Las Vegas casinos reopen they’ll have a new look and feel.
As we’ve been discussing lately, blackjack tables will only have three seats. Additionally, before casinos reopen they must have a plan approved by the gaming control board that details “regular cleaning and disinfection of, without limitation, table games, rails, chairs, dice, card shoes, shufflers, roulette wheels, Pai Gow tiles, pit podiums, blackjack discard holders, and toke boxes when a new player or employee comes into contact with any of the aforementioned gaming equipment. Plans should also address how licensees will disinfect cards and chips.”
MGM Resorts says the company will have a health and safety plan within the next two weeks. Wynn and The Venetian have already released their health and safety plans. To date, no casinos have commented on the installation of plexiglass partitions to help protect guests from spreading germs.
Bellagio & New York-New York Blackjack
Casino floors won’t be the same when they reopen. However, the Nevada Gaming Control Board hasn’t changed the rules of the games casinos will offer. When we last checked the 2020 blackjack survey neither Bellagio or New York-New York offered any 3:2 blackjack games for less than $25 per hand.
In fact, the minimum bet at Bellagio was $50 for anyone who wanted to play a 3:2 blackjack game. New York-New York was a little better with eight 3:2 blackjack games with a $25 minimum wager. Here’s a look at the house edge for all blackjack games that the two casinos were offering when they closed to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
Bellagio Blackjack
40 tables: $10 minimum bet, 6:5 blackjack, house edge 1.86%
6 tables: $50 minimum bet, 3:2 blackjack, house edge 0.29%
2 tables: $100 minimum bet, 3:2 blackjack, house edge 0.26%
Also has Blackjack Switch and Bonus Bet Blackjack games
New York-New York Blackjack
24 tables: $5 minimum bet, 6:5 blackjack, house edge 2.02%
2 tables: $25 minimum bet, 3:2 blackjack, house edge 0.50%
3 tables: $100 minimum bet, 3:2 blackjack, house edge 0.48%
2 tables: $100 minimum bet, 3:2 blackjack, house edge 0.46%
Also has one Bonus Bet Blackjack game
Could New York-New York Add 3:2 Blackjack Under $25?
During the earnings call, MGM Resorts mentioned that New York-New York is opening to offer a budget-friendly property for its guests. Bellagio being a high roller casino might be fine keeping its limits and best games for its biggest bettors. That might not make sense for New York-New York.
It will take a while for a while for guests to return to casinos en masse. Even though a 3:2 blackjack game is less profitable, it might make sense for MGM Resorts to offer a few of these games for low rollers at New York-New York. This might tempt guests that would normally stay off the Vegas Strip to play 3:2 blackjack to visit their property.
