Harrah’s casino in Chester to reopen for business Friday
As Delco moves into the “green” phase of reopening Friday, another major industry in the region will also unlock its doors: Legalized gambling.
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack in Chester announced Monday that it will open up to the general public at 11 a.m. Friday. The company’s “Diamond” and “Seven Stars” cardholders get in a little earlier with a 9 a.m. opening.
“After over 100 days of closure, we are thrilled to welcome guests back to Harrah’s Philadelphia,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager Chris Albrecht in a release. “We are focused on the well-being of team members, guests and the community, and are striving to create enjoyable experiences that emphasize sanitation and physical distancing practices.”
The casino’s reopening is pending regulatory approval, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, according to the release. But once the doors are open, they shall remain so 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Wolf devised a three-tier reopening system in the “red,” “yellow” and “green” phases, indicating the loosening of restrictions on how people and businesses intermingle. The least restrictive of these is the “green” phase, though it is not without its regulations.
For instance, the government will require masks to be worn inside businesses at all times. Large gatherings of more than 250 people are prohibited and only some businesses may have up to 75 percent occupancy.
Indoor recreation, personal care services, and entertainment – including casinos – may only operate at 50 percent capacity. Harrah’s has indicated it will adhere to the 50 percent occupancy rule and will reduce the number of slot machines available for play. There will also be limited capacity at table games to allow for physical distancing, according to the release.
Harrah’s says it has implemented its parent Caesars Entertainment Corporation’s health and safety protocols for COVID-19 in accordance with those put forward by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PGCB and local health officials. This includes more frequent cleaning and sanitization of the property, along with high-touch areas and machines throughout the casino floor, according to the release.
The Poker Room, Sports Book and Top Golf will be closed until further notice, but kiosks will be available for sports betting. Two restaurant options at the casino, The Market and Guy Fieri’s Philly Kitchen and Bar, will be open with modified hours and social distancing restrictions in place, according to the release.
Staff and customers will have to wear masks at all times inside
“After over 100 days of closure, we are thrilled to welcome guests back to Harrah’s Philadelphia. We are focused on the wellbeing of team members, guests and the community, and are striving to create enjoyable experiences that emphasize sanitation and physical distancing practices.” — Senior Vice President and General Manager
Chris Albrecht
the casino. There will be complimentary masks available for customers upon entry, according to the release, as well as hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility.
Employees will also have to undergo temperature scans upon arriving to work, and anyone with a temperature above 100.4 degrees who is unable to pass a health screening will not permitted to enter, the release says.
Racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia already resumed Sunday, though without spectators. The casino indicated all races will continue as scheduled with health and safety measures in place, but spectators are still not allowed until further notice.
Casino closures ordered across the state in March as part of COVID-19 mitigation efforts led to a 51% drop in revenues for the month, according to figures put out by the Pennsylvania Gaming
Control Board in April.
The PGCB reported total statewide revenue for all casinos was
$153.4 million for March 2020, compared to $316.2 million for the same month last year. Slots revenues decreased 61 percent statewide from March 2019, down from $226.5 million a year ago to
$87.5 million, while table games brought in just $33.1 million, a decrease of 59.9 percent from last March’s revenues of $82.5 million.
Harrah’s Philadelphia saw total revenues of just $8,849,429 in March compared to $25,383,035 a year earlier, a decrease of 65.1 percent. Slots revenues at the Chester casino were $6,706,367 for March
2020 compared to $19,250,731 in March 2019, a slip of 65.1 percent, and table games brought in a little more than $2 million, a decrease of 64.3 percent from last March’s revenues of $5,805,552.
Fantasy and sports betting similarly nosedived as most seasons were either delayed or canceled, though online betting statewide has taken a huge swing upward as physical locations closed.
Interactive slots plays nearly doubled to $385,895,637 in March from just $192,735,357 in January. Wagers continued to rise to $757,547,885 in April and $1,064,660,897 in May, for a fiscal year-to-date total of $3,268,486,349 – meaning May accounted for about one third all online slots wagers in the state.
Interactive online table games have likewise grown in popularity with casinos closed. According to those figures from PGCB, statewide wagers in January accounted for $274,032,736 and steadily grew as closures remained in place to $778,536,203 by May, for a total $3,210,679,984.
The fiscal year closes June 30. The PGCB is expected to release an annual report on statewide figures by mid-July.