Has anyone heard anything, perhaps from dealers you know? I am wondering if the poker room will even reopen, or if the spaces will be repurposed like other casinos have done (e.g., Parx, Encore).

The dealers and employees don't have any info. It's the governor that said a couple weeks ago he's keeping movie theaters and casinos closed until the state can review how they can "safely reopen" (any 10 or 11 year old in today's world knows how they can safely reopen - wear a mask, reduce occupancy limits, and social distance unless tables have plexiglass dividers).

Parx only put in slots temporarily to keep people spread out, they assured it's not removing poker. In PA the governor there also said no poker until further notice.

It's not March anymore when our great gov't infectious disease officials forecasted millions of ppl dying, which was the reason for the original shut down, which was over exaggerated. Everyone was lead to believe, in the early days of the pandemic, that if you catch it you have a good chance of dying but that is no longer the case. We know the true mortality rate is much lower than originally thought, and 99% of ppl that catch the virus survive, with most not even knowing they have it. Also, a large portion of deaths happened in nursing homes when our same governor, the one who's so concerned about ppl catching it in a casino, sent elderly patients who tested positive for the virus into nursing homes which infected and killed a lot of other residents. Go figure.

I've been playing at MDL and MGM in MD, the games are 7 handed and a week or so ago we had over 300 ppl on waiting lists. It's only 3.5hrs and there are a lot of good hotel options right outside the property. I've been playing there over 3 weeks and never heard about anyone getting sick there.

I know that this rests with NYS and Cuomo, and have been following the news.
I would still think that, if the casino is not planning to bring back poker, employees like Dave might be given the heads up. While I don't doubt that poker will be back at Parx, Borgata, etc. as soon as they are legally permitted to, I wonder if Resorts can sustain a poker room if they have to distance tables, have less players, etc. for the foreseeable future.

Is your knowledge that employees know nothing from a first-hand source, or just speculation (which I agree is likely accurate).

I've been trying to find articles online regarding upstate NY casinos. Del Lago is closest to me, but almost all say they will layoff all their employees if they are not allowed to open either in the beginning of September or October. It's pretty crazy to think it will be that many more people on unemployment so I would hope Cuomo wouldn't let it come to that. Casinos can easily reopen now if the tribal casinos can manage to do it safely.

Yes, they can no doubt sustain a room with distancing. We played 6 handed the day before it closed, there's enough space to distance people apart.

I haven't spoke with Dave in a while, only a dealer I used to play with. I think when it finally reopens, they're gonna want every bit of revenue they can get, so I can't see them closing poker.

Isn't everyone already laid off? That gives ppl like 40 weeks of unemployment, including the 13 extra weeks due to high unemployment rates. Yeah I know they can easily reopen safely, I play in poker rooms almost every day and I haven't dropped dead yet

In order to reopen, employees will need to be called back then there will be a training period. That will all take at least a few weeks and has not started yet. Lower level employees know nothing, if anyone higher up knows they apparently aren't allowed to talk about it.

Employees have been on unemployment for months. The only change happening right now is the extra $600/wk going away.

Poker opening or not will likely be up to the governor. If you live in New York now is a good time to talk to your representatives.

poker rooms aren't exactly a big concern for these representatives

Agreed, but on rare occasions state representatives can actually be helpful. Might as well spend the 5 minutes to track yours down and send an email.

Hi Reducto - wondering where you got your specific information about higher ups not being able to talk about reopening?

And agree with you about us reaching out to State Representatives.

My bad, that was a poorly worded way of saying that no info has come down from above at all so it either doesn't exist or they have chosen to not share it yet. It is speculation on my part, not based on any sources.

It's not going away, the old bill expires next week but it will be readjusted, probably depending on each state's unemployment rate - for every point unemployment falls below 11% it goes down by 100. They're also considering just lowering it to 450 to encourage people to go back to work. The only problem I see with it is not everyone has a choice to go back to work. Yes if you're a dishwasher in a restaurant, you're probably not going back to work for 50% pay vs unemployment but the majority of ppl can't just go back to work and I know of a lot of ppl depending on the $600. We will know by the end of the month what the house and senate agrees on.

Has anyone seen any updates from NYS about casino reopenings? I can't seem to find anything even on the Forward New York website.

Del Lago just officially cut more then 1000 jobs. Not sure what the other casinos are doing but I will assume they will follow suit. NYS has given no indication they will reopen casinos, even though I believe they can safely do so. These cuts are supposedly temporary at Lago

Turning Stone has been open since June 10th. The 4 other state sanctioned Casinos are still closed until further notice. And yes, I hope the cuts in the region are only temporary!

There was a meeting with state officials and press where the casino demonstrated the steps they will take when they are allowed to re-open. The casino's plan is to first re-open with slots, 3 handed table games, and limited food delivery. No poker. Sports book might be open but it's unclear.

https://www.recordonline.com/story/n...19/5544222002/

For even this first step to happen, Cuomo has to decide it's ok, which so far he has not:

https://13wham.com/news/local/cuomo-...Kbztkg4aqt98Po

So... still no opening date and when they do open it will likely not have poker.

Disappointing news, but not unexpected. Sounds like even if/when they reopen, it could be months until live poker comes back. Really wanted to avoid a 3.5 hour drive to play live, but seems like that's the only option. Thanks for all the updates, Reducto!

Cuomo announced today RW can reopen September 9th. It's a start, at least

They announced they're opening on Wednesday. I haven't seen anything about poker in any of the articles has anyone seen anything different?

I heard them say no poker on the news

Poker is awaiting state guidance.
Hope to have an update soon for you.

Davey

Thanks for the update! looking forward to seeing you (hopefully sooner rather than later)

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Thanks, Dave! Good luck buddy!

Have you heard any updates recently I've heard some rumors that poker should be opening up soon... Do you know if it's related or due to the 25% rule? And if we can get that lifted to 50 would it allow poker?

I've already been making phone calls in both NJ and NY and I'm building up contacts hoping to keep lighting a fire under the right person's ass.

This is ludacris they can spread 3 card poker and pai gow but not poker which is whack.



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It's the touching of the cards they claim that creates a problem. So I wouldn't be surprised if there is no poker for quite some time.

I understand that, but there are also table games where people touch cards or tiles and what about the slot machines where everyone touches every button on every machine and what about all the kiosks? No one wipes or cleans it down after people are waiting in line to use them.

At least when you play poker your only touching cards that 7 other people touched but when you play a slot or use a kiosk there could have been hundreds or thousands of people touching the same buttons but since slots are their bread and butter, they consider them "safe".