You Can Soon Burn The Midnight Oil At Massachusetts Casinos

In the Bay State, gambling establishments are gearing up to resume operations at their pre-pandemic capacities. Assuming all goes smoothly, Massachusetts casinos will reintroduce amenities such as restaurants and spas to their guests starting next month.

Encore Boston Harbor has plans to reintroduce video poker in the near future, which is of great significance for Massachusetts gamblers. However, these plans are subject to change depending on the prevailing COVID-19 conditions.

Which Massachusetts casino amenities will return soon?

Casinos do not just attract gamblers, as not everyone visits them solely for that purpose. To maximize their revenue, casinos offer various products and services.

Next month, three commercial casinos in Massachusetts have been given permission by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to recommence certain ancillary products and services. Encore has already taken advantage of this opportunity, currently providing retail shopping and spa services once again.

The retail stores at Encore operate from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Adhering to state regulations, customers are still obligated to maintain social distancing and correctly wear face masks while shopping.

MGM Springfield will soon follow suit as it plans to reopen The Chandler Steakhouse for indoor dining on a limited basis. Starting Friday at 5 p.m. ET, guests can make reservations online to enjoy a meal at the casino.

On Monday, Governor Charlie Baker announced the relaxation of restrictions on indoor dining. Under the new guidelines, restaurants are now allowed to accommodate up to 10 individuals per table, and customers can once again enjoy seating at bars.

Encore may have the most exciting news for gamblers as Plainridge Park also plans to resume 24-hour slot play on Friday, Oct. 9.

The property aims to add 87 additional gaming positions by the conclusion of the following month. This will encompass a few video poker games situated in a loft space.

The resumption of physical poker and other table games at Encore or MGM is still uncertain. However, if these gradual reopenings prove successful, they might consider offering these options in the near future.

Things are going well for Massachusetts casinos so far

During the MGC’s recent meeting, Loretta Lillios, the Deputy Director of Massachusetts Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, commended the casino operators in the state for their effective implementation of safety measures.

At all three properties, safety and health measures are being upheld successfully. The casinos are demonstrating comprehensive compliance with health and safety regulations, and they are committed to allocating resources for sanitization and hygiene. Additionally, they are enforcing mask protocols among both employees and guests. Furthermore, they are enforcing the rule that only seated individuals are allowed to consume beverages while gaming. Overall, patrons have shown positive acceptance of these measures, and there have been no noteworthy problems reported thus far.

Despite not being perfect, operating during the pandemic has had its challenges. Lillios revealed that a few casino employees have tested positive for the virus since coming back to work.

She mentioned that the number is below 10. Nevertheless, none of them held positions that involved regular interaction with guests. Local health department officials are informed about every case and are adhering to state guidelines.

Massachusetts casinos have taken extensive measures to minimize risks at their establishments, resulting in increased revenue-generating prospects.