Casinos cleared for full reopening this weekend
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After about 440 days of being closed or operating under restrictions meant to stop the spread of COVID-19, the state’s slots parlor and two resort casinos will be allowed to return to mostly normal pre-pandemic operations this weekend.
“I wish you great luck over the course of this big weekend,” Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein said Wednesday after the commission voted 4-0 to remove its remaining COVID-19 restrictions.
“We really are hoping that this is, again, a sustainable re-reopening for you all and we wish you the very best and wish all the patrons and employees much health and safety.”
Gov. Charlie Baker is lifting nearly all COVID-19 business restrictions effective Saturday, but the gaming areas at Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor are under the purview of the commission, which met Wednesday to hear each property’s plan for a full reopening and to decide how to unwind its restrictions.
Representatives from each facility told the commission they want to return to pre-pandemic operations as the governor lifts COVID-19 restrictions this weekend, subject to their ability to meet gambler demand.
“This would mean opening up every slot machine, every gaming table, restoring our restaurants to previous occupancy, restoring the occupancy of the gaming floor,” Jacqui Krum, senior vice president at Encore Boston Harbor, said. She added, “We would allow fully vaccinated guests to not wear a mask, and we will continue to make complimentary masks available.”
A return to pre-pandemic operations for the three gaming centers means a return to standard occupancy levels, the rebooting of all slot machines, table games with full complements of player seats, the removal of most plexiglass barriers and allowing fully vaccinated gamblers to go mask-free.
It also means a return to pre-pandemic cocktail service and guests will no longer have to be seated to be served a beverage.
