Pa Casino Closures
COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania are at record highs. On Nov. 13, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that there were 5,531 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 254,387. It is the fourth consecutive day that the state has reported a record number of cases.
May 29, 2020 A live blog started on March 12 provided updates on the closures of Pennsylvania’s 12 casinos. By March 16, six casinos in Pennsylvania shuttered to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Tom Wolf ‘s press conference on March 16, he ordered a state shutdown of all nonessential businesses.
Play Pennsylvania asked the PA Department of Health if the rising numbers meant a return to the color-coded phases and possible temporary closures for casinos in Pennsylvania.
Mar 14, 2020 UPDATE: On Saturday afternoon, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that Parx Casino in Bensalem will be closed to the public starting at 6 a.m. Sunday, and the Parx-operated South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbook, also known as the South Philly Turf Club, will begin its temporary closure at 10 p.m. Pennsylvania Casino Shutdown Came Day After Industry Pleaded with Gov. Posted on: December 11, 2020, 09:33h. Last updated on: December 11, 2020, 11:38h.
A representative responded:
“There is no plan at this time to return to the red, yellow, green mitigation steps and stay-at-home order that occurred in the spring.”
Some tips to slow the spread
The PA Department of Health reiterated that it was very concerned about the increase in cases. The representative said:
“We currently have protections in place, like wearing a mask and limits on large gatherings. Pennsylvanians can stop the spread. It is all of our responsibility to do the right thing. These are things that we can continue to do to stop the spread of COVID-19:
- Teleworking.
- Isolating or quarantining if you test positive or have exposure to someone who has.
- Businesses limiting capacity to 50%.”
More restrictions for Philadelphia?
Of the record number of cases reported on Friday, 1,158 were from Philadelphia. Mayor Jim Kenney’s office did not provide any indication of what its “changes in restrictions” might be and said they are still being finalized. Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley earlier this week said all restrictions are being considered, even a complete lockdown, according to Yahoo! News.
Rivers Casino Philadelphia is currently the only casino within the city limits. Live! Casino Philadelphia is expected to open in early 2021.
Rivers Philadelphia closed in mid-March and reopened on July 17. It experienced the longest closure of all 12 casinos in the commonwealth.
We must do everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Philadelphia. Specific details are still being finalized, but we plan to announce changes to restrictions on Monday, November 16. https://t.co/fgAPsfbU3P
— Jim #MaskUpPHL Kenney (@PhillyMayor) November 13, 2020
Health and safety protocols at PA casinos
Before you visit a casino in Pennsylvania, there are few things you should know. Your next visit will look different than your previous pre-coronavirus-closure casino excursion. Per the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), all casinos in the state must follow COVID-19 Casino Reopening Protocols, which detail the minimum safety and health-related requirements that are mandatory before reopening.
Key points to remember are:
- Casinos can reopen at 50% capacity.
- Employees and guests must wear masks.
- There are markings on the floor to promote social distancing.
- Enhanced cleaning is required throughout the facility.
Eating, drinking and smoking at PA casinos
In addition to the increased health and safety measures, some staples of casino visits have been put on a temporary pause.
Alcohol can only be served when food is purchased. Drink service on the casino floor is prohibited.
These new rules went into effect well before the November record-breaking numbers.
Under the guidance of the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the PGCB, there is currently no smoking in Pennsylvania casinos either (effective July 3).
Gov. Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine signed orders that mandated restaurants can’t serve alcohol for on-site consumption past 11 p.m. (effective Sept 21).
Hours of PA casinos
Casinos in Pennsylvania started to close in mid-March to slow the spread of coronavirus. They were closed for over 100 days before the first few started welcoming back guests in June. However, not all returned to around-the-clock operations.
Casinos in PA open 24 hours:
- Parx
- Presque Isle
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia
- Rivers Casino Pittsburgh (starting Nov. 16)
- Mount Airy Casino
- Wind Creek Casino
- Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
Hours of other casinos in PA
The Meadows:
- Sunday-Thursday, 8-4 a.m.
- Friday-Saturday, 8-5 a.m.
Valley Forge Casino :
- Monday-Thursday, 10-3 a.m. Open 24 hours, 10 a.m. Friday through 3 a.m. Monday.
Hollywood Casino:
- Closed daily from 4 to 8 a.m. for deep cleaning.
Pa Rivers Casino
Lady Luck Nemacolin:
- Open 24 hours for slot gaming
- Table games hours:
Monday-Friday, 3-12 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m.-12 a.m.
Any Casinos Open In Pa
1% of casino employees test positive
The PGCB released figures last week that showed that fewer than 1% of casinos employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since the 12 brick-and-mortar locations opened in June. Rivers Pittsburgh had 28 cases and Parx had 25. A full breakdown can be found here.
Online casinos in PA
If you are 21+ and physically located in Pennsylvania, you don’t even have to leave your home to play. There are now 11 online casinos in Pennsylvania. Things got even livelier this week as Caesars and FanDuellaunched online live dealer games.
Pa Casino Closures Today
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar