WSOP 2020 on ESPN: Norman Chad Replaced, Nevada Casinos Struggle, UK Reopening Hopes

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2020 is set to air on ESPN, but with a notable change in hosting. Norman Chad, who has been a familiar face in the WSOP broadcasts, will not be joining long-time co-host Lon McEachern this year due to health issues following a bout of Covid-19. Jamie Kerstetter will take his place, bringing a fresh perspective to the broadcast.

The WSOP 2020 featured a unique hybrid format. The event was split into two legs: a domestic version on WSOP.com and an international leg on GGPoker. The final tables were played live in Las Vegas and Rozvadov, respectively. The Main Event will culminate in a heads-up showdown between Joseph Hebert, the winner of the domestic leg, and Damian Salas, the winner of the international leg.

In other news, Nevada's casino revenues have seen a significant downturn, with a 26.5% year-over-year decrease marking the 11th consecutive month of decline. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope as Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak announced that casinos can operate at 50% capacity from March 15th. This decision is expected to boost revenue numbers sharply. MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle expressed optimism, stating that March could feel like October if conditions improve, and significant rollbacks are expected by June.