MGM Expects Las Vegas Casinos Will Be in 3rd Reopenings ‘Bucket’ as CES Looms

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) is expected to lift state COVID-19 restrictions in three phases, and MGM Resorts expects Las Vegas casino reopenings in “the third bucket,” said acting CEO Bill Hornbuckle on a Q1 call Thursday. “We just don’t know” when Sisolak will give that green light, he said. The governor's office didn’t comment Friday. CES 2021 is scheduled for Jan. 6-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. NAB canceled its show last month. MGM, which operates 11 casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, likely will reopen the 2,000-room New York-New York property first “because it’s one of our simpler places to run,” said Hornbuckle. The Bellagio would follow because “we want to be in the high-end business,” he said. “We’ll go slow, we will be responsive and responsible.” The stock closed 10.8% lower Friday at $15.01.