Massachusetts Gaming Commission Discusses Reopening Casinos

Massachusetts Gaming Commission discuss opening casinos
Massachusetts Gaming Commission plans reopening casinos

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is set to hold a public meeting in efforts to reopen. The meeting is expected to take place probably on Thursday .

This comes after the state’s three casinos were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioners are set to provide more information on the how the process is going to take place.

Also, the dates in which the reopening is going to take place has not been confirmed yet. Interim Massachusetts Gaming Commission Executive Director Karen Wells announced this on Thursday.

She said the commission was continuing to work on the guidelines for reopening.

“We continue to work on the guidelines for casino reopening . we are expecting to have a public discussion on June 11,” Wells said.

Wells said the pandemic had affected both casino employees and casino vendors. She said majority of the vendors were small businesses.  Also, she said these businesses were hard hit by the closure of the casinos. The commission has not set dates for reopening.

According to Gov Charlie Barker, casinos are likely to open during the phase 3 of the reopening plan.

Wells also said most of the casino employees will have to return to work before the opening of the casinos. She said this was due to the fact that they had to prepare for the opening of the casinos.

Also, she added that the commission was going to have to give notice to casino employees. This is because employees should talk to human resources  supervisors  if they had any concerns regarding coming back to work.

Massachusetts Gaming Commission is Set to Prepare before Opening

There is a lot that needs to be done before reopening. Firstly Wells noted that casino employees will have to be taught new protocols before opening.

Secondly, social distance also needs to be observed, Wells said. Also, there should personal protective clothes in order to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

She also said cautionary signs also need to be installed. Wells also said people miss being in the office and that the social distancing had no psychological effect.

Discussions on The Protests Situation

Gaming Commissioner, Enrique Zuninga signalled that there was need for casino workers to the use of methods.  Zuninga said this was so that they could defuse the situation when casinos reopen.

This comes after the events following George Floyd’s death last month.

Conclusion

Reopening of casinos is a good move considering that other businesses are also opening.

Also, the fact that the Gaming Commission is making sure  that there is social distancing in casinos is commendable.

FAQs

[accordiongroup id=”692″][accordion group=”692″ title=”How many casinos are in the state of Massachusetts?” active=”true”]There are three full service casinos.  One in north Boston,another one in South Boston and a third in the western city of Springfield.[/accordion][accordion group=”692″ title=”What is the name of the new casino that is found in Massachusetts?” active=””]The new casino is called Encore Boston Harbor.[/accordion][accordion group=”692″ title=”Are casinos legal in the state of Massachusetts?” active=””]Gambling is permitted in the state of Massachusetts.[/accordion][/accordiongroup]