Gambling fans will soon have 13 more reasons to celebrate. Boyd Gaming has announced that it is making preparations to relaunch 13 of its venues as the US economy starts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. While the news is certainly welcomed by both the casino operator and gamblers, the journey to recovery is still going to be long and arduous after all casinos have lost millions of dollars in revenue thanks to COVID-19.
In conjunction with Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s announcement that casinos can get back into action as of June 4, the casino operator will open nine of those 13 in Sin City, including Aliante, Canner, California, Fremont, Gold Coast, Jokers Wild, The Orleans, Sam’s Town and Suncoast. The only three Las Vegas casinos that won’t be opening right away are Boyd’s East Side Canner, Eldorado and Main Street Station.
In addition to the Vegas casinos, the company’s Ameristar St. Charles and Ameristar Kansas City in Missouri will open their doors, as will the Diamond Jo Dubuque and the Diamond Jo Worth in Iowa. While the Nevada properties will have to wait until June 4, these four properties are expected to relaunch their gambling activities on June 1.
Boyd adds in a press release, “Upon reopening, all properties will operate with limited amenities and capacity restrictions in compliance with state and local requirements. Additionally, all Boyd Gaming properties will practice ‘Boyd Clean,’ a set of comprehensive protocols aimed at protecting the health and safety of our team members and guests.”
This is a major step forward for the company, after it reopened its Louisiana venues earlier this month, and more Boyd properties will soon follow. The company is waiting on the green light in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania so it can open the Par-A-Dice, Belterra, Blue Chip, Belterra Park and Valley Forge Casino. Each of these states is just now beginning to establish its protocols for state-wide relaunches, and Boyd will be ready to make the necessary moves as the triggers are pulled.
In all of the states, certain protocols will be initiated that weren’t seen before the coronavirus delivered its right hook to the gaming industry. Casino-goers can expect to have to wear face makes and submit themselves to temperature checks at the properties, and social distancing policies will be in place. Fewer machines and tables will be operational for some time to come, and casino patrons are going to have to contend with a substantially higher number of cleanings on equipment and furnishings from casino personnel. However, these are small prices to pay to allow the economy to get back on its feet.
Boyd President and CEO Keith Smith adds of the latest relaunch, “We are excited for the opportunity to resume operations in Nevada, Missouri and Iowa, as our nationwide operations continue to return to business. So far, we are encouraged by the enthusiastic response we have seen from our customers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Kansas following our reopenings in those states. By the first week of June, we look forward to having 21 of our 29 properties across the country back in operation, and we are optimistic that we will be able to reopen most of our remaining properties by the end of June. As we continue to reopen our properties, we will remain diligent in protecting the health and safety of every person who comes through our doors, following strict safety protocols that meet the highest standards set by federal, state and local officials.”
