The casino industry throughout the United States has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, but some states are starting to loosen restrictions. In other states, tribal casinos are starting to reopen their doors despite warnings from the state government.
There has been a major focus on casinos in Nevada during the last few months, and their efforts to reopen. Casinos in a pair of Northeastern states have announced reopening plans and will be hosting customers soon.
Tribal Casinos in Connecticut Allowing Select Guests
A pair of tribal casinos in Connecticut is set to reopen to the general public on Monday, but they are allowing select guests inside of their venue this weekend. The Mohegan Sun and the Foxwoods Resort Casino are undergoing an invite-only opening this weekend to prepare for the real thing on Monday.
Both casinos have announced that they will be implementing new health and safety protocols at their venues, and social distancing measures will be taken. By only allowing a select number of guests this weekend, the casinos will ensure that both employees and guests are safe.
Not only will both casinos be encouraging proper social distancing, but they are also going to be conducting temperature checks before guests are allowed in the building. Guests will also be required to wear masks once inside of the casinos.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont recently reached out to both tribes in an effort to convince them to keep their doors shut, but he had no authority over them. Lamont even considered suspending the liquor license for each casino, but he had yet to take those measures as of Saturday.
Lamont has reportedly softened his stance on the casinos in recent days after reviewing the extensive measures that each location is taking. The hotels at each location will only be taking reservations from residents of Connecticut, and dining options will be extremely limited.
Rhode Island Casinos Inviting Rewards Members to Play
Rhode Island has just two casinos located in the state, and there has been plenty of pressure on each casino to reopen. The casinos generate significant revenue for the state, and that money has been missed over the last few weeks.
The Twin Rivers Casino Hotel and the Tiverton Casino Hotel will both reopen their doors on June 8, but they will only be allowing customers that receive an invitation. Members of the rewards program at each casino will be the first on the list to receive an invitation.
This announcement comes on the heels of Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announcing that the state will move into Phase 2 of the reopening plan on Monday. The state has been stuck in phase one for the last three weeks, but the data has supported moving to the next phase.
The casinos will allow invited guests to bring one other person with them when trying to enter the venue. Anyone that did not receive an invitation will be turned away when they try to enter.
All guests and employees will be required to wear masks inside of the casino, and temperature checks will be taken. Gaming floors at each casino will be divided into three sections, and guests can only travel to the section where they are permitted. Guests will be wearing wristbands to indicate where they are allowed to go.
Capacity will not exceed 25 percent of the allowed number set by the fire marshals in the state. Limiting guests to only those that are invited should keep this number under control.
Rhode Island has had more than 14,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since mid-March, and there have been close to 700 deaths. There have been fewer than 30 new hospitalizations in the last 15 days, which is why the state will move into phase 2.
