Churchill Downs is set to reopen five more casinos in the US starting today.
Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has revealed plans to reopen five more of its casino facilities across Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
In March, all casino venues in the US were forced to temporarily close due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This news comes after CDI reopened Derby City Gaming in Louisville, Kentucky earlier this week on 8 June. The same day, CDI announced it had also sealed a deal to purchase 1,250 historical racing machines (HRMs) from International Game Technology (IGT).
CDI to reopen five more casinos
CDI will begin the process of reopening five more casino venues starting today (12 June). The casino operator will stagger the reopening of the venues over the next seven days.
Today, Churchill Downs will reopen the Calder Casino in Miami Gardens, Florida, and the Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin in Farmington, Pennsylvania.
CDI will reopen the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, Louisiana tomorrow (13 June). Last month, Churchill Downs reopened 12 off-track betting venues in Louisiana.
Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin, Maryland and the Miami Valley Gaming venue, the joint venture with Delaware North in Lebanon, Ohio, are both expected to reopen on 19 June.
CDI chief executive Bill Carstanjen said: “With these five anticipated property reopenings, CDI will have seven of our ten gaming properties, as well as Derby City Gaming, back in operation across the country.
“We are grateful to our teams who have ensured smooth, safe and successful reopenings over the past month and to our returning guests who have enthusiastically adapted to new protocols.”
Safety protocols at CDI venues
All of Churchill Downs’ venues will implement and operate around the company’s new “CDI 360 Degree Approach to Safety” which includes measures for social distancing, enhanced cleaning and personal protection.
The new safety measures will include the frequent cleaning and sanitizing of all high-touch surfaces on the premises. In addition to cleaning, guests and staff will be subject to mandatory temperature checks upon entering the venue.
Hand sanitizer dispensers will also be placed throughout CDI venues and staff will be provided with personal protective equipment. The venues will also operate at limited capacity.
Casinos reopening elsewhere in the US
Elsewhere in the US, Boyd Gaming announced that on Monday 15 June, it will resume operations at its two Indiana venues; Blue Chip Casino Hotel and Spa in Michigan City, and Belterra Casino Resort in Florence. Boyd will then reopen Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday 19 June.
The first set of casinos in the state of Pennsylvania also reopened this week. Meadows Racetrack and Casino and Rivers Casino in the Keystone State both reopened after temporarily closing their doors to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The Illinois Gaming Board has also published guidance on the reopening protocols for casinos in Illinois.
