Macao has tentatively renewed the casino licenses of MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts and three Chinese rivals after they promised to help diversify the economy by investing in non-gambling attractions.

In a letter to staff members dated Monday, Aug. 16 MGM Resorts announced it is now requiring COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for all salaried employees and new hires throughout the United States.

MGM Resorts is laying off 18,000 people as an unchecked pandemic leaves economic scars across a broad swath of U.S. industries, particularly those that rely on healthy crowds of people. The layoffs at MGM, which amount to about a quarter of its U.S staff of about 70,000, caps a wave of job cuts and buyouts this week across a broad array of industries. Ultimately, the recovery in the economy and the job market will depend on a medical solution to the coronavirus. Employers cut more than 22 million jobs in March and April as the outbreak brought normal business to a screeching halt. As economies slowly reopened, the economy generated than 9 million jobs in May, June and July.

According to MGM Midwest COO and President David Tsai, only 40 percent of slot machines will be left running. All of it is costing MGM, and by way of tax dollars, the City of Detroit and the state, millions of dollars. Tsai, who has been with MGM for 13 years said he oversaw the reopening of other casinos in Ohio just last week. He saidWe have Detroit residents currently going to Michigan tribal casinos or casinos in Ohio and Indiana that dont have the level of requirements that we have, he said. The hotel will not be ready to open whenever the casino is allowed to open its doors.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the possible locations havent been publicly announced. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told the AP last month that the league was considering a handful of scenarios that included playing at one or two sites. Engelbert told the AP once again on Tuesday that the league has talked about a number of options, but declined to confirm whether IMG Academy or MGM topped the list of possible destinations. IMG Academy is in Bradenton, Florida about 100 miles from Disney World near Orlando where the NBA is negotiating to restart its season in July. The commissioner did confirm one of many topics of discussion with the union: Players were paid Monday and will receive another check in a couple of weeks.

A memorial to the victims of the Las Vegas shooting on the Vegas Strip on Oct. 6, 2017. (CNN) - MGM Resorts International and the victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting reached a landmark settlement worth between $735 million and $800 million, depending on the number of claimants, MGM said in a statement Thursday. It is the worst mass shooting in modern American history. "MGM Resorts is a valued member of the Las Vegas community and this settlement represents good corporate citizenship on their part. According to a regulatory filing released in May, MGM said it could pay as much as $800 million for lawsuits related to the mass shooting.