The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on Wednesday released a 10-page document containing minimum protocols for the state’s casino operators to follow as they begin to reopen their properties. The protocols aim to curb the advance of the coronavirus. Both casino employees and patrons will be required to wear face masks on the gaming floor.
COVID-19 CASINO REOPENING PROTOCOLS May 19, 2020 Pennsylvania’s twelve operating casinos closed in Mid-March 2020 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which has endangered the health of people throughout the world, caused economic distress and placed thousands of Pennsylvania’s casino-related employees in unemployed status. Pennsylvania casinos are starting to reopen, with three welcoming gamblers next week. But under state gaming rules no state casinos can offer poker initially. Some PA casinos submit plans to reopen poker rooms. In mid-March, all of the state’s casinos and their poker rooms were forced to close as part of the effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Casinos began to reopen in June to limited capacity. By mid-July, all 12 casinos were welcoming back guests. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and the state’s Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced Wednesday the time-limited orders as written back on December 12 will expire on Monday, January 4, at 8 a.m. ET as planned, meaning casinos and sportsbooks in the state can reopen.
Lou Monaco@loumonacoDecember 31st, 2020 - 03:36pm@loumonacoWelcome back Pennsylvania casinos and sportsbooks!
Governor Tom Wolf and the state’s Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced Wednesday that the time-limited orders written back on December 12 will expire on Monday, January 4, at 8 a.m. ET as planned.
“Our mitigation efforts over the past several weeks are working, and I thank everyone who abided by the restrictions put in place to protect us,” Wolf said. “Every time we make a small decision to avoid risk – or take steps to make our actions a little bit less risky – we are helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.
“At this time, my intention is to allow the time-limited mitigation orders that went into effect on December 12 to expire as planned on January 4.”
RELATED:Pennsylvania Closes Casinos Until January 4 To Help Curb COVID
With the expiration of the time-limited orders, mitigation efforts will revert to mitigation orders in place on December 11. That means: Pennsylvania casinos can reopen at 50% occupancy; self-certified restaurants may open at 50% capacity for indoor dining – restaurants that have not self-certified are at 25% capacity for indoor dining; on-premises alcohol consumption is prohibited unless part of a meal; cocktails-to-go and carryout beverages are allowed; serving alcohol for on-site consumption must end at 11 p.m. ET, and all alcoholic beverages must be removed from patrons by midnight.
All COVID-19 safety protocols will continue to be followed, and the out-of-state testing requirement will still be in place.
CHECK OUT:The Top US Online Casinos
PA Casinos That Can Reopen January 4
The 12 casinos that can re-open on Monday are:
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
- Lady Luck Nemacolin
- Live! Casino Pittsburgh
- Meadows Casino and Racetrack
- Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre
- Mount Airy Casino Resort
- Parx Casino in Bensalem
- Presque Isle Racetrack and Casino
- Rivers Pittsburgh
- Valley Forge Casino and Resort
- Wind Creek Bethlehem, which opened its first sportsbook powered by Betfred last month
Rivers Casino Philadelphia (the only casino within the city limits) and South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbook, which both closed on Nov. 20, will remain closed until at least Tuesday, Jan. 15, under current restrictions by Philadelphia to slow COVID-19 cases.
The first casino shutdown took place on March 17 when all 13 casinos were closed at the start of the pandemic. The lockdown lasted for 126 days, until July 17, when Rivers Casino Philadelphia resumed operations.
RELATED:Pennsylvania November Sports Betting Handle Down 6.4%
Coming off an October state record for monthly sports wagering handle, Pennsylvania saw a 6.4% decrease in November. The $491.9 million in total handle, with bets placed both online (91%) and at retail books, was down from October’s $525.8 million.
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sharetweetcopy linkLink copied!WRITTEN BY@loumonacoLou Monaco had been East Coast Scene columnist for Gaming Today in Las Vegas since June 2019, covering the East Coast sportsbook scene with emphasis on NJ and PA. He also currently is a part-time writer for the high school sports department for NJ Advanced Media (NJ.com) in Iselin, NJ. Lou has over 30 years sports experience with previous stints at ESPN SportsTicker, Daily Racing Form and Oddschecker.... Read MoreLou Monaco had been East Coast Scene columnist for Gaming Today in Las Vegas since June 2019, covering the East Coast sportsbook scene with emphasis on NJ and PA. He also currently is a part-time writer for the high school sports department for NJ Advanced Media (NJ.com) in Iselin, NJ. Lou has over 30 years sports experience with previous stints at ESPN SportsTicker, Daily Racing Form and Oddschecker.... Read MoreARTICLES YOU MAY LIKE
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