Connecticut governor calls casino reopening plans “incredible risk”

Connecticut’s tribal gaming operators will partially reopen their venues on June 1, much to the chagrin of the state’s governor.

On Wednesday, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe announced that they would “begin the reopening of portions” of their reservations, which include (respectively) the Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun, which were shut on March 17 to minimize spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The tribes say they collaborated on new safety protocols and operating procedures to minimize risks to both casino guests and staff, including protective equipment, physical distancing and mandatory masks for guests. Neither property will open its buffets, concert venues or poker rooms, while tenant restaurants will be open on a take-out only basis.

The casinos “will be catering to Connecticut and Rhode Island residents only.” No out-of-state buses will be “accepted” and “no out-of-state marketing to New York or Massachusetts will take place at either property,” although one suspects the odd VIP gambler from those states might just find a way through these roadblocks.