Moderator was John O'Reilly, CEO of the law firm O'Reilly, and speakers were: Bob Miller, Nevada Governor 1988-1999, Jeffrey Silver, Gaming and Hospitality Practice Group, Dickinson Wright, Steve Gallaway, Managing Partner, Global Market Advisors, James Maida, President GLI.

Bob Miller: "I think the main role of the industry and the government is to work together to provide the safety of the citizens and their economic well-being as well."

James Maida: "In 35 years I've never seen anything like this. A 100% of the casinos were shut down around the world and in North America for weeks. I've never seen a crisis like this for the tourism, hospitality and games of chance industry. These days new COVID deaths, and in certain states casinos had to slow down their openings. In these 45 to 60 days we'll know if kids will come back to school, and, at the end of July, we´ll know whether the federal government will extend the financial aid to unemployed persons. In my home town, New Jersey, casinos are operating at their 25% capacity, but 85% of them are now reopening, but many of those are working with restrictions. I fear it's going to be an extended road back, but I am also optimistic that new forms of technology on the rise". He is looking forward that operators, suppliers and regulators to work together in this situation.

Jeffrey Silver highlights the fact that the start of the COVID-19 situation has been all wrong, and it produced the distrust of the population. "We have to reopen our industry, or we won't have an industry," he said. Unlike other jurisdictions, Nevada is totally depending on tourism and casino industry, he added.

Steve Gallaway: "This has been quite devastating for the industry. We really have to partner with regulators and legislators to work together in order to continue protecting people but also allowing the casinos to have the opportunity to make some profit. I think in the long term it will be positive, but it's gonna be a long road."

Impact of COVID on the gaming and hospitality sectors- OVERVIEW

"The impact has been severe, and in Nevada it has been worse because it is the main industry," said the former Nevada governor. He added that this year there is a US$1 billion shortfall, and therefore will be several cuts in budget.

Maida commented that sports are starting to come back for people that want to bet on them. The lottery industry is starting to recover as well. The biggest trouble, he said is for casinos, that aren't opening yet.

Miller added that the problem is that people don't have disposable income to bet on casinos right now. "If people aren´t making any money, they won't be able to spend any money. We also have a demographic issue. Elderly people do not come because of the virus, and younger people come but they just want to have fun, and casino employees have to remind them all the time to wear their masks and keep social distance. We can´t have night clubs so far, and that is something that I hope will improve on the road."

"The best way we can help the government is to become active and profitable," the moderator commented.