Casinos in Detroit will open without poker rooms
On Monday, Michigan regulators issued guidelines for the reopening of land-based casinos. That document requires gambling organizers to keep poker rooms closed.
The Detroit Free Press report states that, gambling establishments will be operating at 15% of their capacity. There will be non-contact temperature checks at the entrances to the establishments, and visitors will be required to wear masks and maintain a social distance. Casinos will temporarily eliminate smoking in the rooms, self-service buffets and checkrooms, and valet services.
Michigan Gaming Board Executive Director Richard Kalm, in an interview with The Free Press, commented on the recommendations: “In making these requirements, we considered the recommendations of the CDC, the Nevada Gaming Board and information from the National Indian Gaming Commission. We required the casinos to propose reopening plans, and we consulted with the unions about the recommendations.”
Detroit is home to the MGM Grand Detroit Casino, MotorCity Casino and Greektown Casino. The rest of the state’s gambling establishments are tribal entities and are not subject to local laws. Some of them have already reopened.
Across the country, gambling establishments are reopening, some Las Vegas casinos opened last Thursday. However, poker room policies vary from state to state. In Florida, many poker rooms opened in late May with short games, but some rooms are already moving to nine-handed play.
In mid-March, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order that forced the casinos to close. An opening date has still not been given.
