Massachusetts Casino Closures Extended To May 18Regulators Have Begun Working On Reopening Procedures |
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Gov. Charlie Baker announced last week that his non-essential business closure would extend until at least May 18. On Friday, the Massachusetts gaming commission met and voted unanimously to keep the state’s gaming facilities closed and in-line with Baker’s shutdown.
It is not a surprising decision since the Gaming Commission took action to force casinos to close before Baker announced his initial shutdown. The commission ordered casinos to close on March 14, a few days before Baker’s statewide shutdown on March 18.
During last Friday’s meeting, regulators also began discussing plans on safely reopening casinos to the public. According to the local CBS affiliate, the commission looked at what practices casinos in Macau were taking after they reopened following a 15-day shutdown.
In Macau, only half of the casino’s gaming tables were allowed to be open, gamblers were required to wear masks and their body temperatures were taken when they entered the casino. Revenue has plummeted since reopening as April was Macau’s worst month in its gambling history.
“We are fully engaged with our licensees in preparation for a new normal and the myriad of considerations for a safe and sustainable reopening,” said Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein. “What we do know for sure is it won’t be as simple as unlocking the doors and switching the lights back on.”
Massachusetts is home to three casinos that generated $35 million in gross gaming revenue during the first two weeks of March before shutting their doors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.