New Jersey has applied a ten p.m. curfew on all indoor eating choices, together with these situated inside Atlantic Metropolis’s 9 casinos.
A mandate from Gov. Phil Murphy went into impact Thursday making meals or drink unavailable to anybody inside a on line casino between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
“The very last thing I need to do, or any of us needs to do, is shut our economic system again down. And fortunately we aren’t at that time,” Murphy mentioned Monday. “We’re appearing with extra precision based mostly actions based mostly on what we’re seeing on the bottom.”
Caesars Leisure Inc., MGM Resorts Worldwide, Landry’s — which operates the Golden Nugget model — and Mohegan Gaming and Leisure — which can run Virgin Resorts Las Vegas’ on line casino as soon as it opens subsequent yr — all function Atlantic Metropolis casinos.
Combating the unfold of COVID-19
The eating curfew comes as New Jersey experiences a spike in COVID-19 circumstances, very similar to the remainder of the nation. On Thursday, the New Jersey Division of Well being reported a each day positivity charge of 12.02 p.c, with practically 267,000 complete circumstances.
In response to the Press of Atlantic Metropolis, there have been 251 optimistic circumstances of the novel coronavirus reported amongst on line casino employees since properties reopened in July. Greater than 60 p.c occurred in October.
Whereas Gov. Murphy’s new restrictions hinder meals and beverage gross sales, the state’s casinos will nonetheless be allowed to maintain their on line casino flooring working via the evening. Different gaming markets can’t say the identical; earlier this month, Massachusetts ordered its three casinos to shut nightly at 9:30 p.m., prompting layoffs.
Compliance with new orders
Steve Callender, president of the On line casino Affiliation of New Jersey, mentioned in a Monday assertion that the trade has taken “extraordinary measures” to welcome again staff and company, and it’ll proceed to comply with state-imposed mandates, restrictions and occupancy limitations.
“As we see an increase in circumstances throughout New Jersey, we’re targeted on the well being and security of our staff, company and fellow residents and can proceed to work with AtlantiCare, our regional healthcare supplier, in addition to native and state officers, to refine and replace our protocols as native and state mandates evolve,” he mentioned.
Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts, which operates the two,767-room Borgata in Atlantic Metropolis, mentioned in a press release that it’ll adjust to Gov. Murphy’s government order. The corporate won’t have indoor eating after 10 p.m., however its seize and go choices, in-room eating and out of doors eating are permitted to function in any respect hours.
Meals and beverage made up practically half of non-casino income for MGM’s regional properties in 2019 and roughly 14 p.c of their complete income, in accordance with an annual report.
Spokespeople for Caesars Leisure, Golden Nugget and Mohegan Gaming didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Contact Bailey Schulz at bschulz@reviewjournal.com. Comply with @bailey_schulz on Twitter.
