Coronavirus Shuts Macau, the World’s Gambling Capital

A Wynn Resorts spokesman , Michael Weaver, said the company supported the government’s decision to close casinos in Macau.

“Our greatest concern and our top priority is the health and safety of our employees, their families and the citizens of Macau,” Mr. Weaver said. “We believe that our goals and the goals of the Macau government during this challenging period are fully aligned.”

In a statement, a spokesman for Sands, Ron Reese, said that the “health and safety of our team members and guests remains our number one priority.”

Mr. Ossolinski, the gambling consultant, said he expected the industry to bounce back once casinos opened again and Chinese tourists were allowed to travel to the city.

“Macau remains the golden goose,” he said. But when things pick up would be “harder to predict.”

In late January, the Chinese authorities began to take drastic measures to contain the outbreak. The shift coincided with Lunar New Year, the most lucrative time for Macau casinos, and the city has already seen visits drop by 80 percent, according to Fitch Ratings.

For weeks, many casino floors, typically brimming with Chinese tourists, have been largely empty. Recent visitors described empty casino floors, worse than when China clamped down on the casinos to stop corruption by government officials.

Mr. Lobo, the consultant, who has lived in Macau for 25 years and has worked for the Macau government and the Venetian, visited some of the biggest casinos in Macau on Monday.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/04/business/coronavirus-macau-gambling.html?emc=rss&partner=rss