Caesars Entertainment invested $67m in communities its casinos serve during 2019 as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, its latest report reveals.
The latest report on ‘People Planet Play’, the framework that underpins Caesars’ CSR strategy, reveals a number of achievements by Caesars properties in 2019 and the first half of 2020, prior to the merger with Eldorado Resorts.
Among the major achievements by Caesars in the period was contributing $67m, including the value of 370,000 hours volunteered by team members, to its local communities in 2019.
Caesars also said that it turned every dollar of revenue into a contribution to its communities of 46 cents, nearly four times the average community contribution for US corporations.
In terms of diversity, equity and inclusion, Caesars legacy properties employed 45% women and 35% ethnic minorities in management roles. This commitment to gender and racial equality will be continued following the Eldorado merger, the operator added.
The operator also held its first Corporate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit, which was attended by 48 executives from corporate and advocacy partners.
Looking at staff, Caesars provided 1.5m hours of training to its staff in 2019, which equated to over 27 hours per employee for the year, with responsible gambling training delivered to more than 49,900 staff.
Meanwhile, Caesars set out a number of environmental achievements in 2019, including a 19.7% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to 2011 levels. Scope 1 refers to direct emissions from the activities of a business or under their control, while Scope 2 covers emissions from electricity purchased and used by an organisation.
Caesars was able to divert 43% of all waste from landfill and reduced water use per 1,000sq ft at its properties by 3%. In addition, it reached more than 40,000 charging sessions through its electric vehicle charging stations.
Caesars’ president and chief executive Tom Reeg praised the operator for its efforts in 2019 and 2020, noting it achieved a number of milestones despite the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
“This year has certainly presented opportunities and challenges as we respond to the pandemic throughout the US,” Reeg said.
“Perhaps most importantly, we see this as an opportunity to work together in the newly formed Caesars Entertainment, bridging our community-driven efforts and strengthening them within a larger organisation.
“Where we had set platforms and programs that impacted so many, we can build them up and make them stronger and more impactful than ever before.”
In terms of future commitment, following the merger with Eldorado, the new combined operation has created a CSR Committee of the board of directors. The Committee will drive CSR strategy and oversee progress for the enlarged group.