In another lovely sign of the challenges facing Las Vegas casinos at the moment, Downtown Grand has stopped operating its table games on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
While Downtown Grand’s casino table games area has never really been considered lively, at least they had one, and the experience was always enjoyable.
We love Downtown Grand’s casino because it’s quiet. Just not closed quiet, please.
Downtown Grand is the latest casino grappling with weak demand mid-week. Winter is always slow in Las Vegas, but without NFR and conventions, we’re pretty much screwed.
Adjusting table games hours can help reduce labor costs, and slot machines end up doing the heavy lifting on revenue generation for casinos.
For example, Circus Circus bailed on its table games mid-week. The worst part is all the kids are now limited to the definitely-not-gambling games in the midway. Bummer!
A casino without table games is like an “O” without a “69.”
Hotel towers are partially closing as well. Mandalay Bay, Mirage and Park MGM close their hotels midweek, for example.
Encore also closed midweek due to soft demand.
Palazzo recently announced it would temporarily close its hotel tower seven days a week.
Rooms, schmooms, don’t take away our roulette, blackjack and craps! We need something to do after our chicken parm at Triple George.
Downtown Grand’s situation is particularly interesting because it recently opened a new hotel tower. While we’re pretty sure Downtown Grand has never earned a dollar of profit from its casino, it’s had strong demand for lodging in the past, hence the expansion.
Sadly, the new tower opened in the middle of the pandemic.
Come hell or high water, Vegas keeps making new things.
It feels like Las Vegas is being tested.
Hang in there, Downtown Grand. We’re rooting for you, and we’ll be by to try our hand at those excellent video poker machines at Furnace bar soon.
