More States Shutting Down Casino Industry In Response To COVID-19 Surge

Shortly after Michigan introduced it might start to shutter its brick-and-mortar casinos for a second time as part of one other spherical of COVID-19 restrictions, different states have begun to observe swimsuit.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker introduced that it’ll shut down the state’s gaming market beginning at 11:01 p.m. Thursday evening. He didn’t announce how lengthy these closures will final, in keeping with a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

If any of the state’s 10 casinos refuse to shut through the mandated shutdown, they might lose their gaming license, in keeping with the Illinois Gaming Board’s web site.

Along with Illinois, New Mexico casinos are also beginning to cease operations in response to a COVID-19 surge. Route 66 Casino Hotel closed in mid-October response and in keeping with native media shops, the federal government is urging the 23 different tribal casinos to observe swimsuit.

Santa Ana Star Casino introduced the closure final week and Sandia Casino by no means reopened because it shut its doorways in March. Since all the gaming business within the state is run by tribes, the state authorities is unable to unilaterally shut down all the market.

While Pennsylvania hasn’t introduced a statewide mandate, considered one of its largest cities is starting to enact strict lockdown measures and one of many state’s largest casinos is being pressured to shut once more.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia, previously SugarHouse Casino, is shutting down Friday and won’t be allowed to reopen till January 2, 2021. South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbooks shall be closed throughout that very same timeframe.

Other states, like California and Ohio, are starting to implement curfews on its residents. While state officers haven’t introduced something particular to the gaming business, it’s nonetheless unclear what impact curfews can have on the on line casino business.

Before reopening in July, New Jersey was one of many strictest and most cautious states when it got here to its on line casino business. This time round, nevertheless, it seems that Garden State casinos will keep away from one other shutdown. According to a report from the Press of Atlantic City, Gov. Phil Murphy mentioned that there isn’t any proof that his state’s casinos are linked to any outbreaks of COVID-19.

Colorado casinos have been in jeopardy of being closed as new restrictions have been imposed Monday, however Teller County officers mentioned earlier this week that the casino industry would not be affected.