Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen warns that a full rebound for U.S. casinos may take longer than expected.
As casinos across the United States look toward reopening in a post-COVID world, one industry leader is tempering expectations. Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International, believes it could take up to a year before casinos are able to return to pre-pandemic capacity.
Allen, who also serves as CEO of Seminole Gaming, emphasized that regional casinos—those that attract guests who drive rather than fly—are likely to bounce back quicker. However, the broader tourism and entertainment sector is likely to experience a much slower recovery.
Major Expansion Put on Pause
Owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hard Rock International operates a global network of casinos, hotels, and cafes. Among its most notable U.S. properties is the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, which recently underwent a massive expansion, including the debut of a striking guitar-shaped hotel tower.
Unfortunately, the resort shut its doors on March 20, 2020, amid growing public health concerns, and it remains closed indefinitely. The property is home to a robust 40-table poker room, offering a variety of games and tournaments including Limit and No Limit Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and 7-Card Stud.
Learning from Overseas Reopenings
For insights into how the U.S. market might recover, Allen points to Hard Rock’s Shenzen, China property, located just outside Hong Kong. That venue has been reopened for nearly a month, but it is operating at just 12% capacity, a stark indicator of how slow the global gaming recovery may be.
What Will Reopened Casinos Look Like?
The shape of the casino experience post-COVID is still unclear, but early indications suggest significant changes. In the days leading up to the Florida shutdown, Hard Rock enforced strict social distancing measures:
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One active slot machine for every four turned off
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A limit of three players per table game
While such measures are easier to implement in house-banked games like blackjack or baccarat, they pose a unique challenge for live poker, where full tables mean bigger pots and better profitability. Reducing the number of players per table could diminish both the experience for players and the revenue potential for operators.
The Road Ahead
As the U.S. casino industry awaits a return to normalcy, Allen’s prediction serves as a reality check. Even with a gradual reopening, live poker rooms may remain quiet for some time, as the economics and logistics of safe play are worked out.
In the meantime, the industry watches, adapts, and plans—hoping that the chips can start flying again before the year is out.
