This is an ongoing story and will be updated regularly
The uncontrollable spread of COVID-19 has brought the casino industry to a grinding halt. Across the country, properties are beginning to close their doors to casual and experts bettors in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Though many gamblers will turn to horse betting, online casinos and online poker, our staff at PlayUSA wants to keep you up to date with a list of casino properties that have suspended operations in the wake of this global pandemic.
Nevada casinos
State leaders have not exactly called for a full shutdown of Nevada casinos. Rather, Gov. Steve Sisolak provided strong support for “any decision our properties make … whether or not to close.”
Wynn Las Vegas and its attached sister property Encore elected to suspend operations for at least two weeks, beginning March 17 at 6 p.m.
MGM Resorts will also close its nine Vegas casinos on March 17 “until further notice.” Those properties include:
- MGM Grand
- Mandalay Bay
- Luxor
- Excalibur
- New-New York
- Aria and Vdara at CityCenter
- Park MGM
- Bellagio
- The Mirage
For properties remaining open, the Nevada Gaming Control Board on March 16 issued “Restrictions on Operations during COVID-19 Outbreak” to all of the state’s gaming licensees.
The board emphasized that it will enforce the following restrictions, which will remain in place until further notice:
- There may be no more than three chairs at each table game.
- Each gaming machine must be cleaned and sanitized at least once every two hours.
- Patrons may not serve themselves from buffets that remain open. Similarly, employees may not
serve themselves in employee dining areas. - The gaming floor and other public areas of a licensee’s property must operate under the latest
social distancing guidance from Nevada’s medical advisory team.
For those wishing to stay home, Nevada offers online poker via the World Series of Poker website and WSOP app.
Pennsylvania casinos
As of March 16, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has provided a list of Pennsylvania casino operators that have temporarily closed their doors. (Keep in mind that PA online casinos are fully operational.) The PGCB notes, casinos not on the list remain open but may have restrictions.
This announcement will most likely affect all PA sports betting operations as well. Currently, the four major pillars of sports, NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL have suspended all play for the foreseeable future. Additionally, the NCAA, NASCAR and several other major sports leagues have all suspended operations for the time being.
Casinos and racetracks closed:
- Oak Sports and Turf Club
- Valley Forge Casino Resort
- Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino
- Rivers Philadelphia Casino
- Rivers Pittsburgh Casino
- Parx Casino
- South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbook
- Wind Creek Bethlehem
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
- Mount Airy Casino Resort
- Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Lady Luck Nemacolin
- Meadows Casino and Racetrack
- Presque Isle Racetrack and Casino
Online casino and online poker remain up and running in PA and could see higher than normal player traffic. Here is a list of PA Casinos and their online partners:
- SugarHouse Casino — PlaySugarhouse
- Hollywood Casino — Hollywood Casino
- Rivers Casino — BetRivers Casino
- Valley Forge Casino — FanDuel Casino
- Mohegan Sun Pocono — Unibet Casino
- Mount Airy Casino — The Stars Group
- Parx Casino — GAN (only Android available)
Illinois casinos
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) announced Monday, the entire gambling industry must suspend operations for 14 days. This includes all Illinois casinos, all video gaming operations, and all Illinois sports betting. There are 35,483 video gaming terminals in the state operating at 7,307 bars, restaurants and truckstops.
Gov. JB Pritzker also announced all dine-in service will be suspended at all bars and restaurants across the state.
Casinos and racetracks closed:
- Argosy Casino Alton
- Casino Queen
- Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel
- Grand Victoria Casino
- Hollywood Casino Aurora
- Hollywood Casino Joliet
- Rivers Casino
- Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino
- Harrah’s Metropolis Casino & Hotel
- Jumer’s Casino & Hotel
- Fairmont Park
- Hawthorne Casino and Race Course
Louisiana casinos
Effective March 16 at midnight, the shutdown of the Lousiana casino industry will commence. Ronnie Jones, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, announced that state police will be working to help implement the shutdown process.
“In an effort to protect the health and wellbeing of [casino] employees and guest, the board is in the process of preparing a formal order directing the closure of the gaming operations at all 20 casinos in the state for a period of 14 days, subject to extension,” Jones said.
Casinos closed:
- Boomtown Bossier
- Eldorado Resort
- Horseshoe
- Diamond Jacks
- Sam’s Town
- Margaritaville
- Isle Lake Charles
- L’auberge Lake Charles
- Golden Nugget Lake Charles
- Amelia Belle
- Boomtown New Orleans
- Treasure Chest
- Belle of Baton Rouge
- Hollywood Baton Rouge
- L’auberge Baton Rouge
- Harrah’s New Orleans Casino
- Delta Downs
- Harrah’s LA Downs
- Evangeline Downs
- Fair Grounds
Washington casinos
The state of Washington has seemingly become a hotbed for the virus.
As such, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a prohibition of events featuring more than 250 people, as well as ordering the closure of restaurants, bars, entertainment and recreational activities.
The order itself does not apply to Washington casinos as they reside on tribal land. Many properties are adjusting hours of operation, but only a select few are closing – in their own ways.
For example, 12 Tribes Resort Casino temporarily closed for cleaning “until further notice.”
Meanwhile, Coulee Dam Casino and Mill Bay Casino remain open but will shut its doors twice a week for cleaning.
The post Live Updates: Casinos Throughout The US Shutter Amid Coronavirus appeared first on Play USA.