Atlantic City, and the entire state of New Jersey, has missed the revenue that is attributed to its casinos. Las Vegas has just made its return, recently reopening its casinos on the strip.
Next up is Atlantic City, but there are many questions surrounding when it will reopen.
Harry Hurley, who is a popular Atlantic City talk show host and former casino executive, asked Governor Phil Murphy about releasing a date on when casinos can reopen.
“I don’t want to marry myself,” Murphy said. “I hope it’s that. It’s something we are taking extremely seriously. I’ll leave it at that. Indoor stuff, where you can’t open windows, is really hard.”
The Governor officially closed all of the casinos on March 16 to combat the spread of the virus. He has inferred that their return is going to be his decision.
Opening Plans
Casinos in the area have started to come up with plans to keep their customers safe upon return. Resorts Casino Hotel is one of those, having released its “Work Safe, Play Safe” plans for a return.
“We are excited about being one of the safest destinations in our region upon reopening,” Resorts Casino Hotel CEO and President Mark Giannantonio said in a statement. “We want our guests to be able to enjoy the friendly and warm experience that has always been part of our core values.”
New Jersey folks can expect their reopening to be much like Las Vegas. Caesars didn’t have bars, buffets, live entertainment, or valet parking as part of their reopening.
Before returning to work, Caesars workers in Las Vegas were tested for the virus before returning, while also wearing a mask during work.
Safety Measures
New Jersey is likely to have to make all of these safety measures, if not more. The northeast was one of the areas that was hit the hardest by the coronavirus. Las Vegas didn’t see the high numbers like New Jersey or New York.
“Every market is unique, and we can better tailor our solutions for our Atlantic City customers versus what might work in other jurisdictions,” said Terry Glebocki, CEO of Ocean Casino Resort.
Slot machines could be spread out, or even have dividers to limit exposure to others. Tables will likely have a capacity that is much less than usual. In Vegas, patrons have been strongly encouraged to wear masks, but it has not been mandatory.
But this time off has allowed those in the casino industry in New Jersey to plan for this return. Many are confident in their ability to make a safe return.
“Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is extremely comfortable and confident that we will provide responsible protocols to safeguard both our guests and team members,” said Joe Lupo, property president. “The new standards will provide a clean, comfortable, and fun experience that we are hopeful will present visitors an exciting summer here on the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk at the Jersey Shore.”
Masks and social distancing has become the new normal for people across the country. Guidelines that have been created have moved onto restaurants, bars, shopping centers, and now, casinos.