Casinos in Maryland have begun to reopen their doors following three months of closures due to COVID-19, with the state allowing properties to welcome guests via a set of strict restrictions.
Despite casinos reopening Maryland Live, one of the state’s largest casinos, has announced that only ‘top-tier VIP clients’ will only be allowed back but must make reservations in advance.
The casino is set to phase in ‘lower-level VIPs’ over the next week with a plan to reopen to the general public from June 29 with a 25 per cent capacity limit implemented.
This follows a trend around the US with casinos announcing reopenings, with Penn National Gaming having confirmed the reopening of 30 of its 41 gaming and racing properties recently, with the company’s four Ohio properties and its Pennsylvania Hollywood Casino the latest on that list.
The announcement represents more than 70 per cent of the company’s regional gaming portfolio in 13 of the 19 states in which it operates.
“As the nation’s largest regional gaming operator, we are excited and grateful to have reached this important milestone of reopening more than 70 percent of our properties across the country,” said Jay Snowden, president and chief executive officer for Penn National.
“We are continuing to work closely with our regulators and state and local leaders to prepare for the eventual reopening of all of our remaining properties. I want to thank our state regulators, as well as our Corporate and property management teams who have worked tirelessly over the last several months to get us to this point.”
Upon reopening its facilities, each property is said to be operating at a limited capacity and following state and regulatory guidelines.
Penn National has implemented ‘comprehensive social distancing and safety protocols’ at all of its reopened properties which was developed in ‘close consultation’ with state regulators alongside local and state public health officials.
