Casinos prepare to reopen
Tunica-area sites are cautiously opening their doors after closing in March due to the pandemic.
Mississippi casinos can reopen Thursday morning, the first chance to do so after being closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guidelines are in place from the Mississippi Gaming Commission and the state Department of Health for these casinos to follow, including limiting guest capacity to 50%, asking patrons to not enter if they’ve had COVID-19 symptoms, spacing out slot machines and limiting the number of guests per table game, the Mississippi Clarion Ledger reported.
While casinos must adhere to these guidelines, each has implemented its own measures as well. Here are the measures being taken among casinos in the Tunica area, just south of Memphis.
Hollywood Casino, First Jackpot Casino Tunica
Hollywood Casino and First Jackpot Casino Tunica will both reopen at noon Thursday.
The two casinos owned by Penn National Gaming said they have worked closely with the Mississippi Gaming Commission and state and local officials in finalizing reopening plans.
Details of those plans were not available Tuesday morning, but the casinos said they will release further information on Facebook and their websites “in the coming days.”
Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
Sam’s Town will reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday. Casino gaming there will be limited to slot machines.
Social distancing requirements and capacity restrictions are in place in all areas, including casino floors and restaurants, according to a news release. The casino will also bolster its cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as door handles, gaming machines, table games, handrails and elevator buttons.
All Sam’s Town employees must wear face coverings, get temperature checks and receive training on safety protocols, the release said.
Fitz Casino and Hotel
Fitz Casino and Hotel opens at 8:01 a.m. Thursday.
Those entering the casino will need to respond to five questions on signs posted at all entrances and exits of the facility, said Vice President and General Manager Tony Scudiero in a Facebook video. Scudiero did not say what those specific questions were.
“If you answer yes to any of those questions, they will take you off to the side and there are some things they will need to discuss with you,” he said.
Scudiero said other reopening policies in place at Fitz include:
❚ No one under 21 will be allowed inside the casino.
❚ Table games will be available to play.
❚ Smoking is still allowed.
❚ The casino will provide patrons with a facemask if they want one.
Gold Strike Casino Resort
Gold Strike will reopen in a limited capacity to the public on Monday, parent company MGM Resorts announced.
Gold Strike employees must wear masks, while guests “are strongly encouraged” to do so. In certain areas where distancing is more difficult and barriers aren’t in place, masks will be required — these areas include salons, table games without physical barriers and elevators “if riding with guests outside of their travel group.” Gold Strike will provide masks for free.
Social distancing policies will be enforced in public areas. All food within Gold Strike’s buffet will be served by its employees, with no self-serve available.
Horseshoe Tunica Hotel and Casino
Horseshoe Tunica is reopening at 8 a.m. Thursday.
On its website, the hotel and casino advises patrons to keep in mind parent company Caesars Entertainment’s health and safety protocols. Those protocols include:
❚ Reducing capacity for casino floors, restaurants and other seated venues.
❚ Arranging slot machines for proper social distancing.
❚ Table games will limit their number of positions and won’t allow guests to congregate behind players.
❚ Procedures have been adjusted “where possible” so only dealers can touch cards, and high-touch items are routinely disinfected.