Casinos in Oklahoma Are Already Drawing in Large Crowds There are many casinos now spread around the state of Oklahoma. Some of these venues are just finally beginning to reopen. Several major gaming analysts predicted that revenue would be slow to recover, however, as many would be unwilling to visit a casino due to concerns over safety. The casino many in North Texas head to — the WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma — will reopen Wednesday. WinStar, like other casinos across the country, has been closed since mid-March. In Oklahoma, many tribal governments that shut down casinos in mid-March kept paying employees. The Cherokee Nation said it costs the tribe $30 million to $40 million a month to pay salaries and expenses while casinos and other businesses are shuttered.
Texans: If you feel like gambling, don’t plan to head to WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
If you do, you’ll just find it closed.
The casino announced that it will close at midnight Monday until March 31.
But the WinStar World Casino Hotel will remain open, according to an online statement.
“While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) at WinStar World Casino and Resort, we have determined it is in the best interest of our patrons and employees to temporarily close the casino, all retail stores and all casino restaurants ... to slow the transmission of this virus,” according to a statement posted online Monday afternoon.
Casino officials said Fun Town RV Park at WinStar, WinStar Golf Club and WinStar Golf Academy will stay open. And they said the Legends Bar and Grill will stay open, but service will be limited to 50 guests at a time.
“Thank you very much for your loyalty and your understanding as we navigate this difficult time,” the casino posted.
WinStar already postponed several concerts and performances, including Brad Paisley until Aug. 29 and Adam Sandler to a date yet to be determined.
This comes after several casinos in Las Vegas temporarily closed their doors, also to try to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Oklahoma, meanwhile, rescheduled a Carrie Underwood concert for Sept. 11 but, as of Monday afternoon, was keeping the casino open, according to a message posted online.
The Choctaw message said officials are reminding employees about washing their hands and are cleaning and are increasing the number of times each day they disinfect casino surfaces from slot machines to table games.
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North Texans: If you feel like gambling, there’s good news for you.
The casino many in North Texas head to — the WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma — will reopen Wednesday.
WinStar, like other casinos across the country, has been closed since mid-March because of the rapid spread of coronavirus.
But just know that if you decide to head there soon, some things will be a little different.
You’ll have your temperature taken before you get to go inside. If it’s 100.4 or higher, you’ll be asked to go home and talk to your doctor.
Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said businesses everywhere are starting to reopen and he’s not surprised that WinStar is among them.
But he said he won’t plan a trip there with his mother-in-law, who is a fan of casinos, for about a month, just to see how it goes.
“They are going to figure this out,” he said. “We’ve got to begin to open this up again and just be careful.”
A note on the WinStar website lays out some changes:
? The number of people inside will be no more than 25% the building’s capacity. And even though casinos traditionally never close, WinStar will shut its doors between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. every day for a “deep-cleaning of all areas of the gaming floor using electrostatic spraying techniques with EPA-certified chemicals.”
Casino News In Oklahoma Ok
? Some electronic games will be moved. Poker, table games, bingo and off-track betting are suspended until further notice.
? People will be encouraged to social distance. To help with that, every other chair will be removed from electronic games.
? Hand sanitizer stations will be throughout the casino. Customers and employees alike will have to wear face masks or some face covering.
? And, when the occupancy limit is reached, the casino will let customers wait outside until they can enter.
Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja said North Texans should “make a wise decision” for themselves and their families if they decide to head to a casino.
Casino In Oklahoma Open
“If you’re going to be out, make sure you social distance and wear a mask.”
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Oklahoma Casinos Opening Soon
©2020 the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Visit the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at www.star-telegram.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.