Resorts World Catskills remains closed more than five months after the commercial casino resort had to close for business temporarily. Ever since then, it has been closed and staff members along with the region have witnessed the impact of this closure. Assemblywoman Aileen Gunter is among the officials supporting the push towards reopening the casino resort.
The casino resort located in Monticello, New York is the newest commercial gambling hotspot on a state level. It has been able to support the host community coffers, as well as the state with its regular gaming revenue allocations sent directly to them. Lack of in-person casino gaming at commercial casinos and racinos have resulted in significant deficit across the state.
Casino Still Closed
Over the past five months, the casino has remained closed, as physical distancing is the recommended practice around the globe. Welcoming more individuals in the enclosed space of a casino floor is not the way to go, as New York State lawmakers have put it. However, nearly all states that mandated a lockdown on their gaming field have commenced a reopening process while New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo still hesitates.
Neighboring states to the likes of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut have already greenlighted in-person gaming, becoming even more attractive for New Yorkers seeking gaming offerings. Now elected officials want to see commercial casinos return to their daily work in a safe manner. Assemblywoman Aileen Gunter made it clear that Sullivan County should be able to bag the casino support it is eligible for, as this fuels various local projects.
Moreover, it makes it possible for people to work and also earn their well-rounded wages instead of relying on benefits. Resorts World Catskills management has expressed discontent with the continuous closure of the commercial casino location, as it prevents it from developing and creating a sustainable gaming field. The casino itself has all safety protocols implemented.
Safety Protocols
Reopening of Resorts World Catskills would also mandate various safety measures for both the staff members and the patrons making their way there. The safety protocols and thorough and frequent disinfection would be mandatory in the upcoming months and the casino venue is ready to do what it takes in this sense. Some 1,200 casino employees await their return to their workplace.
Slot machines are about to be reduced in number in order to create more space between the players gambling on them. Patrons will also get the chance to use special styluses for playing on them that will eliminate any touching of the slot machines buttons. While Resorts World Catskills remains closed, Monticello Raceway is also void of spectators. The Monticello Harness horsemen’s Association has filed a lawsuit, as the horse racetrack remains closed.
Without gaming revenue to keep it open, Genting has chosen to keep it closed and no live events are taking place there even without spectators. Other NY racetracks to the likes of Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs have also made it clear that they will have to cut short their live schedules this September, as their purse money is running out.
