Wuhan coronavirus

IPI then detailed its nearly six-year history on Saipan, during which “our company has struggled, our employees have struggled, and our ability to create a steady stream of income has suffered.” IPI says it “has invested around $1 billion in the CNMI and paid over $300 million in taxes and fees to the government,” while IPI itself “lost over $500 million accumulatively.”

Officials in Macau had issued a call for casinos to temporarily halt operations for 15 days, and many have responded. As of the latest count, 23 casinos have temporarily turned off their lights in hopes that they will quickly be able to resume normal operations if the flu-like virus can be contained.

The coronavirus continues to strike fear in the hearts of the public and government officials. Just days after the Philippines confirmed its third official case of the virus, some Manila mayors are calling on health checks for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

One of Gambling Operators Meg-Star, through its Meg-Star International Charity Association, announced yesterday that it is donating MOP$10 million ($1.24 million) to the fight. It has created the “Wuhan Coronavirus Special Fund,” which is designed to facilitate anti-epidemic measures in the core city where the virus was first identified, Wuhan, China.

Fear – justified or not – over the rapid spread of the coronavirus has already significantly depressed Lunar New Year traffic to Macau’s casinos and the authorities in Beijing apparently don’t want to give lottery players a reason to come out of hiding and cram into lottery retailers to play their lucky numbers and breathe on each other.

At least two influential figures in the Philippines are calling for a hiring freeze by Philippine Online Gaming Operators (POGOs). This comes amid growing concerns related to the coronavirus as well as reports that sex trafficking is becoming a growing concern.

In both confirmed cases, the virus was detected in recent visitors from Wuhan, who were quickly quarantined. Border control officials are employing body temperature screening devices at checkpoints, and casinos have also been instructed to use these devices to monitor customers entering the casino.

That has led one gaming industry expert to say the ripple effect of the virus and fears of a pandemic, including quarantines and travel warnings and restrictions, should be a “wake-up call” for the Chinese government and casino interests throughout Asia that it is time to legalize online gambling.