Amid all of the negativity surrounding the coronavirus, social distancing, and self-isolation, I find it heartening to observe the gaming industry’s biggest players as they continue to step-up their respective philanthropic efforts.*  Whether this includes donations of food to those in need, or of essential personal protection equipment (PPE) to healthcare professionals, law enforcement, first responders, and/or volunteers; the need is there, and it’s real, and there will always be more that can be done.

Enter Caesars Entertainment, which, through its properties, has corporately supplied more than a quarter of a million pounds of food, (the equivalent of roughly 208,000 meals) to numerous food banks and charities, with every Caesars Entertainment property across the United States volunteering to assist their local communities. Further, those properties have provided thousands of items—including gloves, masks, and hand-sanitizer—to local hospitals, first responders, and charities.

According to the company’s CEO, Tony Rodio, Caesars Entertainment “is dedicated to assisting our local communities across the country…by donating perishables to nearby food banks and charities, as well as necessary supplies to first responders.  We will continue to seek ways to give back to our neighbors…as part of our commitment to help put this unprecedented situation we are all facing behind us.”

Following is a breakdown by region and/or property of some of Caesars Entertainment’s larger donations:

Bally’s Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, The Cromwell Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas, The Linq, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, and Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, NV) have cumulatively donated approximately 116,000 pounds of perishable food items to Three Square Food Bank; as well as gloves, masks, and sanitizers from inventory to University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC).

Bally’s Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, and Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City (Atlantic City, NJ) have cumulatively donated more than 40,000 pounds of food to Community Food Bank of Southern New Jersey, Atlantic City Rescue Mission, and The Salvation Army: Atlantic City Corps; as well as food not suitable for human consumption to animal rescues in need, like the Funny Farm Rescue Animal Shelter.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino (Maricopa, AZ) has donated 15,000 pounds of food to the Ak-Chin Indian Community, which will be distributed among the Community’s elders and families in need.

Harrah's Resort Southern California (Valley Center, CA) has donated more than 8,000 pounds of produce and refrigerated items to the San Diego Food Bank, as well as 805 pounds to The Foundry Escondido.

Horseshoe Casino Tunica (Tunica Resorts, MS) has donated more than 8,000 pounds of food to the Mid-South Food Bank, Memphis Union Mission, and Sacred Heart Southern Missions.   

Harrah’s New Orleans (New Orleans, LA) has donated 7,852 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank of New Orleans, which will result in 6,543 meals for members of the community.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore (Baltimore, MD) has donated roughly 7,500 pounds of food to organizations including the Maryland Food Bank; while partnering with Thread, Inc., Union Baptist Church, and New Psalmist Baptist Church to ensure the food reaches those most in need.

Horseshoe Casino Bossier City (Bossier City, LA) has donated more than 7,000 pounds of food to Bossier Parish Schools and Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana.

Harrah’s Kansas City (North Kansas City, MO) has donated 5,000 pounds of produce and one pallet of dairy to the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, which is working in conjunction with several organizations in the greater Kansas City area.

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino (Shelbyville, IN) has donated more than 4,000 pounds of perishable food to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

Harrah’s Reno (Reno, NV) has donated 150 pounds of food to Food Bank of Northern Nevada, 500 meals to Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada and 100 meals to the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission; while Hash House A Go Go has donated more than 200 pounds of food to Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada.

Harrah's Laughlin (Laughlin, NV) has donated over $13,000 of food to local agencies including Meals on Wheels of Bullhead City, Food for Families | Bullhead City Food Bank, The Arc, and Colorado River Food Bank; and has donated several cases of toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotions to Living Waters Hospice, Hospice of Havasu, and Billet Health.

Harrah’s Council Bluffs and Horseshoe Council Bluffs (Council Bluffs, IA) have collectively donated 7,600 pounds of food to their employees.

Caesars Southern Indiana (Elizabeth, IN), Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and Harveys Lake Tahoe (Lake Tahoe, NV), Harrah’s Joliet (Joliet, IL), Harrah’s Metropolis (Metropolis, IL), Horseshoe Hammond (Hammond, IN), Harrah’s Gulf Coast (Biloxi, MS) Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino (Anderson, IN) and the Mid-America Center (Council Bluffs, IA) have also donated perishables and essential supplies to their local communities.

Avē Caesars!

Caesars Entertainment
Targeted Regional Giving
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#InThisTogether

[Editor’s Note: This statement is in no way an implication that Las Vegas’ gaming companies are anything less than fantastic citizens, in normal circumstances.  Quite the contrary, actually; as the stupefying levels of corporate giving and outreach to the Las Vegas community from Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Paragon Gaming, Station Casinos, and Wynn Resorts could be used as a bar by which other communities measure their supporters.]