Massachusetts Casinos Likely Won't Reopen Poker Rooms Until 2022Regulators Removed All Remaining COVID-Induced Restrictions Starting This Weekend, But Operators Won't Commit To Bringing Poker Back |
|
Massachusetts gaming regulators are removing all COVID-19-induced restrictions on the Bay State’s gaming operators this weekend.
On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted 4-0 to remove the remaining restrictions. According to a report from the Berkshire Eagle, the move will allow the state’s two casinos and one slot parlor to return to normal pre-pandemic gambling conditions.
“We are really hoping that this is, again, a sustainable re-opening for you all and we wish you the very best and wish all the patrons and employees much health and safety,” said Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein after the vote.
With the vote, all the plexiglass dividers, limits of number of players at the table, and social distancing requirements will be removed. Unfortunately for poker players, neither the MGM Springfield nor Encore Boston Harbor have announced that the poker rooms will reopen.
When regulators allowed Massachusetts casinos to start operating again in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, they prohibited properties from spreading craps, roulette and poker, citing safety concerns around social distancing and the touching of surfaces constantly used by all players and staff involved.
In March, regulators relaxed some of their mandates and allowed casinos to spread those games again, but capped the number of people at the table, including the dealer, at four. Executives at Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield said that it would not be profitable to spread poker games that shorthanded.
Even with the restrictions now in the rearview mirror, poker players in the state may have to wait until 2022 before the poker rooms are open again.
“We’re continuing to monitor needs for poker and whether we will bring that back,” MGM Springfield Compliance Director Daniel Miller told the Berkshire Eagle. “We too have decided to make a decision by or around December 31.”
Massachusetts isn’t the only state removing all restrictions. The Nevada Gaming Control Board announced that it is making the same move and removing any remaining mandates on June 1.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
