Pennsylvania casinos ordered to close again

Pennsylvania’s casinos must close until January 4, according to the state’s latest set of Covid-19 restrictions.

US.- Pennsylvania casinos have once again been ordered to close their doors as part of a new set of restrictions imposed after an increase in Covid-19 cases in the state.

Governor Tom Wolf ordered Pennsylvania’s 12 casinos to close from the early hours of Saturday morning until 8.00am on January 4.

Wolf’s mandate covers other indoor entertainment venues, theatres, museums, gyms and activities in public gathering spaces. Indoor dining at restaurants is also prohibited.

The governor said: “With these measures in place, we hope to accomplish three goals: stop the devastating spread of Covid-19 in the commonwealth, keep our hospitals and healthcare workers from becoming overwhelmed, and help Pennsylvanians get through the holiday season – and closer to a widely available vaccine – as safely as possible.”

Casinos were first closed in mid-March, with many reopening their doors in June. A report by the Allegheny Institute found that the state of Pennsylvania lost out on $424.4m in tax revenues during the first closure.

The executive director of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Kevin O’Toole, told casinos: “The Board is continuously monitoring developments and will update licensees and the public as frequently as possible with any new developments.” 

Live! Casino Pittsburgh only just opened its doors to the public on November 24.