Illinois: new restrictions after coronavirus spike

Video gaming operations at licensed locations in many counties are only allowed between 8am and 11pm.

US.- The Illinois Gaming Board has implemented new sanitary restrictions due to a spike in coronavirus cases across the state.

The new measures are to make video gaming operations at all licensed locations only permissible between 8am and 11pm.

The policy became effective on Tuesday and will effect sites across a number of counties, including Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, Washington and St. Clair.

The restrictions also apply to the two casinos in the area: Casino Queen and Alton Argosy.

They will remain in place for at least the next 14 days, and will only be eased if the state records a reduction in the positive test rate of the virus.

The IGB warned: “Failure to comply with mitigation efforts could subject licensees to discipline, up to and including license revocation.”

Like many other states, Illinois closed casinos in mid-March due to the pandemic. Legislators have since allowed Illinois casinos to reopen with the early introduction of a tax cut aimed to help the sector’s recovery.