Christi Callahan pays for her parking at the MGM Grand parking garage Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016.
Published Monday, May 18, 2020 | 12:37 p.m.
Updated Monday, May 18, 2020 | 1:06 p.m.
MGM Resorts International says it is getting rid of paid parking as it prepares to welcome guests back after the coronavirus shutdown.
MGM, which operates nine Strip resorts, has said it plans to initially reopen only its Bellagio and New York-New York properties in Las Vegas once the state gives the green light.
Casinos statewide have been closed since mid-March after Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered the shutdown of nonessential businesses to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. No date has been set for casinos to resume operations.
“MGM Resorts is updating many of our offerings as we prepare to welcome guests back, and that includes implementing free parking,” the company said in a statement issued today.
The statement did not include any details, but a company spokesman said free parking would be offered for the foreseeable future.
In 2016, MGM Resorts became the first resort operator on the Strip to start charging for self-parking and valet service. Self-parking fees ranged from $10 to $18 a day, depending on the property. The maximum for valet parking was $24 to $30.
Other Strip resorts quickly followed suit, although some later backed off and reverted to free parking.
The move comes at a time the tourism industry has been decimated by the pandemic.
Some gaming executives have noted that Las Vegas will initially be heavily dependent on the regional drive-in market to help fill resorts.
In its statement, MGM said it “couldn’t be more excited to open our doors and get back to doing what we do best.”
