MGC And Casinos Working On A Safe, Feasible Plan To Reopen In MA

The reopening guidelines for the state’s casinos are being established by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).

However, there are concerns regarding the potential limitations imposed by restrictions on financial viability. This adds complexity to the process of reopening casinos, which requires approval following their closure in mid-March.

Upon reopening, what will casinos look like?

Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park will not offer craps, roulette, or poker games upon reopening as per the minimum requirements proposed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).

Instead, upon arrival, gamblers will be presented with a notice delineating the symptoms of COVID-19. Subsequently, casino staff will provide hand sanitizer and conduct a temperature check.

Following that, masks will be distributed to customers by the establishments. It will be mandatory for patrons to wear the mask, ensuring it covers both their nose and mouth. Masks may only be taken off when outdoors or while consuming food or beverages.

According to the MGC guidelines, casino staff will regularly sanitize slot machines, screens, chairs, chips, and cards. Wipes will be readily available throughout the casinos for easy access and visibility.

Even the winners have the option to receive their payouts either in the form of a TITO ticket (for jackpots) or cash enclosed in an envelope.

Designated areas will be available for limited food and drink service, while bars will remain closed.

The limits on occupancy are still undecided, according to MGC documents, with potential ranges of 25% to 50%.

Gov. Charlie Baker will determine the timeline for casino reopenings, although the MGC will establish rules for them.

According to Boston.com, there has been a lot of talk about reopening in late June, but Baker stated on Friday that his office would like to observe “two weeks of indoor dining data,” starting from Monday, before determining when to initiate Phase 3.

Casinos have announced that they will require 10 to 14 days to make necessary preparations after Baker’s order, as Phase 3 marks the partial reopening of their floors.

Safety standards likely to be finalized Tuesday

According to Elaine Driscoll, the Director of Communications at MGC, discussions have been held with staff and licensees regarding the necessary steps to reopen. Although the commission has not voted on the minimum standards for reopening, these talks have been extensive and encompass a wide range of complex considerations.

Driscoll pointed out that there are still certain aspects of the plan that are being discussed at the moment. She mentioned that the MGC members intend to convene again to reach a final decision on the plan for future progress.

According to the agenda, the commission is scheduled to host an open meeting on Tuesday. During this remote meeting, members will vote on the adoption of minimum standards for reopenings.

Concerns about viability worry casinos

There are concerns among certain individuals in the casino industry regarding the viability of reopening due to the proposed restrictions imposed by the MGC, as they may render it financially unfeasible.

During a recent remote meeting, Seth Stratton, the vice president and general counsel of MGM Springfield, expressed concern to the commission that distance restrictions pertaining to slot machines might excessively restrict the number of patrons allowed on the premises.

The MGC has deliberated on the possibility of mandating a 6-foot gap between slot machines. In cases where this is not feasible, casinos may opt to install plexiglass barriers between machines located at a minimum distance of 4 feet from each other.

Stratton commented that the limited availability of plexiglass means that the number of slot machines we can provide upon reopening will be significantly lower than our initial expectations.

“We need to reassess the situation. … Our team must come together and explore whether reopening is economically viable.”

To comply with guidelines, MGM has implemented a practice in some states where every other machine is switched off, potentially leading to situations where machines are positioned closer than 6 feet without plexiglass.

In addition, the MGC mandates the use of 6-foot-tall plexiglass barriers and imposes a restriction of three players for table games, particularly blackjack.

Furthermore, other casinos present voiced their concerns regarding the financial implications tied to restricted gaming opportunities. The primary worry revolves around the potential drastic decline in profits that the existing proposals may bring.

The commission will once again address the topic of slot-machine distance at Tuesday’s meeting, which deserves special attention.

In her email to Play MA, Driscoll mentioned that the ongoing discussions primarily revolve around determining the most effective method to implement physical distancing measures for slot machines.