It has been a rough couple days in the United States and in the poker/gambling community as we all try to wrap our heads around the nightmare that unfolded Sunday night as a gunman sitting in a 32nd story room at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas rained gunfire down onto 20,000-plus concert goers outside for nine minutes, killing 59 and wounding over 500. The horror we all feel watching the news and reading stories about the incident are nothing compared to what the victims, their families, and bystanders are dealing with right now, but out of tragedy does come at least a little positivity, as thousands upon thousands of people and business have come to the aid of those affected. Among those lending a hand is Boyd Gaming, which is doing what it can to help the relatives of victims who are traveling to Las Vegas.
Boyd has announced on its website and social media channels that it is giving free hotel rooms to family members of victims. It is hard enough for people for people to handle the death or serious injuries of their loved ones and suddenly having to spend money on last minute plane tickets and hotel stays makes it even more stressful. Boyd Gaming obviously understands this and is doing what it can to ease the burden on families.
In a message on its website, Boyd Gaming wrote:
The thoughts, prayers, and condolences of the entire Boyd Gaming family are with the victims, their families, and the people of Las Vegas.
If you are a relative or victim and need accommodations in Las Vegas, please call 888-582-6278 and mention offer code ZSTRIP for a complimentary room.
We assume this will be on the honor system, so please, I implore anyone who is thinking this can be an easy way to grab a freebie to not ask about this offer if you do not have a family member who was hurt in the attack that you need get to Las Vegas to see.
Boyd Gaming owns a dozen casinos in the Las Vegas area, including the California Hotel and Casino, Fremont Hotel and Casino, and Main Street Station in downtown Las Vegas, as well as Gold Coast, Suncoast Hotel and Casino, and the Orleans Hotel and Casino, to name a few.
The company owns ten more casinos in other parts of the country and previously owned half of the Borgata in Atlantic City before selling its share to MGM last year.
Speaking of MGM, it is the owner of the Mandalay Bay, where the shooter made his base of attack, as well as many of the big-name casinos on the Las Vegas Strip like the MGM Grand, Bellagio, New York-New York, Monte Carlo, The Mirage, Excalibur, and Luxor.
MGM has announced that is committing $3 million “to fund humanitarian assistance to victims of the Las Vegas shooting, along with organizations who provide support to those who are first on the scene to assist in traumatic events.”
The company is also assisting victims’ families and first responders with lodging, air and ground transportation, food, and grief counseling.
