Boyd Gaming Corp. announced plans Wednesday to reopen 13 properties in three states next week as nationwide casino shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic are quickly being lifted.
The Las Vegas-based regional casino operator, which has 29 gaming properties in 10 states, has reopened casinos in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Kansas over the past 10 days. The company’s entire portfolio had been closed since mid-March due to COVID-19.
“So far, we are encouraged by the enthusiastic response we have seen from our customers … following our reopenings in those states,” Boyd CEO Keith Smith said in a statement.
On Monday, Boyd said it would reopen its two Missouri casinos – Ameristar St. Charles and Ameristar Kansas City – and its two properties in Iowa, Diamond Jo Dubuque and Diamond Jo Worth.
On Thursday, the company will reopen nine of its Nevada properties – Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Aliante, Cannery, and Sam’s Town in the locals market, Fremont and California in downtown Las Vegas, and Jokers’ Wild in Henderson.
Three of Boyd Gaming’s southern Nevada properties – Eastside Cannery on the Boulder Strip, Eldorado in Henderson, and Main Street Station in downtown Las Vegas – will remain closed during the initial reopening phase.
“We are excited for the opportunity to resume operations in Nevada, Missouri, and Iowa, as our nationwide operations continue to return to business,” Smith said. “By the first week of June, we look forward to having 21 of our 29 properties across the country back in operation, and we are optimistic that we will be able to reopen most of our remaining properties by the end of June.”
Boyd said its casinos have reopened with limited amenities and capacity restrictions, in compliance with state and local requirements. The company has also instituted its own set of health and safety protocols aimed at protecting employees and guests. Those protocols include mandatory face coverings and temperature checks for all employees, social distancing restrictions, hand sanitizer dispensers throughout all properties, and enhanced cleaning and sanitation.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgaming.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
