Gaming board releases casino reopening protocols
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board released guidelines on reopening casinos that were closed because of the cornavirus pandemic.
“As conditions throughout the commonwealth improve and the reopening of casinos is authorized, the PGCB desires to assure that reopenings occur in a manner which promote the safety of casino patrons and employees alike as well as assure an environment conducive to proper regulatory oversight,” said Executive Director Kevin O’Toole in a statement Wednesday.
O’Toole said the requirements have been laid on best-practices guidelines along with the various plans authored by gaming companies operating in Pennsylvania.
“While these guidelines for casino operations will be subject to amendment as we move closer to a time of reopening, we believe this plan will be effective in mitigating and reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for all employees, patrons, and other guests,” O’Toole added.
Among the requirements in the 10-page document:
• Customers will be required to wear masks and will be discouraged from wearing hats for security purposes.
• Casinos will implement methods for identifying customers who have a fever or other symptoms of illness.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be at each entrance and throughout the floor.
• Social distancing markings will be placed throughout the floor and areas such as sportsbook windows.
• Customers who do not comply will have to leave the casino.
• Casinos will have a pandemic safety officer. Employees who believe they have contracted COVID-19 will report to the safety officer.
• Employees will undergo temperature checks when reporting to work.
• Employees in high-touch public areas will be provided frequent breaks to wash hands. Slot machines will be frequently wiped down and sanitizing wipes will be available to customers to wipe down surfaces.
• Table games equipment will be sanitized frequently.
• All parts of the casino will be cleaned frequently.
• Poker rooms will continue to be closed.
O’Toole said the pandemic has dealt Pennsylvania’s casino industry an unexpected and unprecedented blow over the last few months, and the PGCB is committed to assisting each of Pennsylvania’s licensed casino operators and facilities to re-open in a safe and efficient manner.
“We fully anticipate that we will work with the industry as it seeks to become, once again, an economic engine for Pennsylvania and to restore the first-rate entertainment facilities each of our licensees have developed,” O’Toole said.
Penn National reopening casinos in South
Penn National Gaming Inc. said that it reopened five casinos in Louisiana on Monday and planned to reopen five more in Mississippi on Thursday.
The Wyomissing-based company said the reopened facilities represent more than 25% of its portfolio of regional casino assets.
Penn National said in a press release that it has implemented social distancing and safety protocols, developed in consultation with state regulators and public health officials.
“As the largest operator of casinos in Louisiana and Mississippi, we are excited and grateful to be able to reopen our doors and welcome back our team members and loyal guests to our facilities,” said Jay Snowden, President and CEO, in a statement. “We are continuing to work closely with our regulators and state and local leaders to prepare for the eventual reopening of all of our properties nationwide, and I want to thank the team at Penn National who has worked tirelessly over the last several weeks to prepare for this process.”