“While these guidelines for casino operations will be subject to amendment as we move closer to a time of reopening, we believe this plan will be effective in mitigating and reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for all employees, patrons, and other guests,” O’Toole added. O’Toole said these new operational requirements have been laid out by the PGCB based on best-practices guidelines along with the various plans authored by gaming companies operating in Pennsylvania.

They also require staff to follow disinfection and social distancing protocols.“As conditions throughout the Commonwealth improve and the reopening of casinos is authorized, the PGCB desires to assure that re-openings occur in a manner which promote the safety of casino patrons and employees alike as well as assure an environment conducive to proper regulatory oversight,” said Executive Director Kevin O’Toole. Sisolak, Nevada’s Gaming Control Board published requirements for a “phased and incremental resumption of gaming operations.” Those health and safety guidelines say casinos will have to limit occupancy to 50%, make masks available to guests and check their temperatures. Many public casino operators have been forced to slash forward guidance on earnings, suspend dividends and cut costs to survive the economic fallout from the pandemic.

Most casinos were closed for nearly three months, roughly the equivalent of a full quarter of financial results. “You look at Las Vegas reopening its casinos… Those are the kinds of settings where I think you have more risk, where you have a lot of people crowding together,” he told CNBC. That means casinos are especially high-risk areas for the spread of the virus, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scientists have cautioned that coronavirus spreads easily in crowded spaces. While it has a presence in Vegas, Penn has a large number of casinos across the Southeast-many of which had already opened last month. casino operator, has bucked the trend thanks to its domestic focus and strong digital growth: It’s stock is up 43% in 2020.

Penn gaming casinos reopening