Shortly after Michigan announced it would begin to shutter its brick-and-mortar casinos for a second time as a part of another round of COVID-19 restrictions, other states have begun to follow suit.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that it will shut down the state's gaming market starting at 11:01 p.m. Thursday night. He did not announce how long these closures will last, according to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, seeking to slow out-of-control spread of the coronavirus, on Thursday announced sweeping new orders that will again shut down large swaths of society —. Philadelphia Restrictions Shut Down Rivers Casino Move over to the East Coast and changes are taking place in Pennsylvania. The Rivers Casino Philadelphia is closing on November 20 and will not reopen again until January 1.
If any of the state's 10 casinos refuse to close during the mandated shutdown, they could lose their gaming license, according to the Illinois Gaming Board's website.
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 according to local media outlets, the government is urging the 23 other tribal casinos to follow suit.
Santa Ana Star Casino announced the closure last week and Sandia Casino never reopened since it shut its doors in March. Since the entire gaming industry in the state is run by tribes, the state government is unable to unilaterally shut down the entire market. Occasionnellement.
While Pennsylvania hasn't announced a statewide mandate, one of its biggest cities is beginning to enact strict lockdown measures and one of the state's biggest casinos is being forced to close again.
Rivers Casino Philadelphia, formerly SugarHouse Casino, is shutting down Friday and will not be allowed to reopen until January 2, 2021. South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbooks will be closed during that same timeframe.
Other states, like California and Ohio, are beginning to implement curfews on its citizens. While state officials haven't announced anything specific to the gaming industry, it's still unclear what effect curfews will have on the casino industry.
Before reopening in July, New Jersey was one of the strictest and most cautious states when it came to its casino industry. This time around, however, it appears that Garden State casinos will avoid another shutdown. According to a report from the Press of Atlantic City, Gov. Phil Murphy said that there is no evidence that his state's casinos are linked to any outbreaks of COVID-19.
Colorado casinos were in jeopardy of being closed as new restrictions were imposed Monday, but Teller County officials said earlier this week that the casino industry would not be affected.
Multiple sources told The Morning Call Thursday afternoon that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf plans to announce a new slate of coronavirus-driven restrictions that include a three-week shutdown of indoor restaurant dining, high school sports, and gyms and casinos.
Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine are scheduled to hold a virtual press conference at 4 p.m.
The press conference comes on a day when the state reported more than 11,972 more cases of the virus and 248 more deaths.
Wolf — who announced Wednesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus himself — on Monday described out-of-control virus spread as a threat to hospital systems in the state.
Speculation and concern about the anticipated announcement continued through the week.
Restaurant owners were among the groups most concerned. Sue Dech, who along with her husband owns the Southside 313 bar and restaurant in Bethlehem, said the business was still open but struggling because of many virus restrictions issued previously.
'We are devastated,' said Dech. 'You don't know what to think or what to do. It is just day-by-day.'
On Thursday, state House Republicans repeated a statement issued earlier in the week and directed at Wolf, in anticipation of more restrictions.
House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff of Centre County said, 'Gov. Wolf, do not cancel Christmas. Do not use your executive order pen to devastate lives and livelihoods. Government mandates will not cure COVID-19 and unilateral shutdowns will not create personal responsibility.'
Benninghoff said Pennsylvanians are 'smart and compassionate' and 'by now, they know how to keep themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors safe.'
This story will be updated. Morning Call Capitol correspondent Ford Turner can be reached at fturner@mcall.com
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©2020 The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)
Are Pa Casinos Closing Again
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Are Casinos Shut Down
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, seeking to slow out-of-control spread of the coronavirus, on Thursday announced sweeping new orders that will again shut down large swaths of society —. Philadelphia Restrictions Shut Down Rivers Casino Move over to the East Coast and changes are taking place in Pennsylvania. The Rivers Casino Philadelphia is closing on November 20 and will not reopen again until January 1.
If any of the state's 10 casinos refuse to close during the mandated shutdown, they could lose their gaming license, according to the Illinois Gaming Board's website.
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 according to local media outlets, the government is urging the 23 other tribal casinos to follow suit.
Santa Ana Star Casino announced the closure last week and Sandia Casino never reopened since it shut its doors in March. Since the entire gaming industry in the state is run by tribes, the state government is unable to unilaterally shut down the entire market. Occasionnellement.
While Pennsylvania hasn't announced a statewide mandate, one of its biggest cities is beginning to enact strict lockdown measures and one of the state's biggest casinos is being forced to close again.
Rivers Casino Philadelphia, formerly SugarHouse Casino, is shutting down Friday and will not be allowed to reopen until January 2, 2021. South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbooks will be closed during that same timeframe.
Other states, like California and Ohio, are beginning to implement curfews on its citizens. While state officials haven't announced anything specific to the gaming industry, it's still unclear what effect curfews will have on the casino industry.
Before reopening in July, New Jersey was one of the strictest and most cautious states when it came to its casino industry. This time around, however, it appears that Garden State casinos will avoid another shutdown. According to a report from the Press of Atlantic City, Gov. Phil Murphy said that there is no evidence that his state's casinos are linked to any outbreaks of COVID-19.
Colorado casinos were in jeopardy of being closed as new restrictions were imposed Monday, but Teller County officials said earlier this week that the casino industry would not be affected.
Multiple sources told The Morning Call Thursday afternoon that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf plans to announce a new slate of coronavirus-driven restrictions that include a three-week shutdown of indoor restaurant dining, high school sports, and gyms and casinos.
Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine are scheduled to hold a virtual press conference at 4 p.m.
The press conference comes on a day when the state reported more than 11,972 more cases of the virus and 248 more deaths.
Wolf — who announced Wednesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus himself — on Monday described out-of-control virus spread as a threat to hospital systems in the state.
Speculation and concern about the anticipated announcement continued through the week.
Restaurant owners were among the groups most concerned. Sue Dech, who along with her husband owns the Southside 313 bar and restaurant in Bethlehem, said the business was still open but struggling because of many virus restrictions issued previously.
'We are devastated,' said Dech. 'You don't know what to think or what to do. It is just day-by-day.'
On Thursday, state House Republicans repeated a statement issued earlier in the week and directed at Wolf, in anticipation of more restrictions.
House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff of Centre County said, 'Gov. Wolf, do not cancel Christmas. Do not use your executive order pen to devastate lives and livelihoods. Government mandates will not cure COVID-19 and unilateral shutdowns will not create personal responsibility.'
Benninghoff said Pennsylvanians are 'smart and compassionate' and 'by now, they know how to keep themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors safe.'
This story will be updated. Morning Call Capitol correspondent Ford Turner can be reached at fturner@mcall.com
———
©2020 The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)
Are Pa Casinos Closing Again
Visit The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) at www.mcall.com
Are Casinos Shut Down
Casinos Closed In Pa
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