The retail casino industry is starting to make a comeback.
As of Thursday morning, more than 130 casinos have reopened across the U.S., according to tracking from the American Gaming Association. That’s about 13% of the nearly 1,000 properties nationwide.
Tribal casinos, which are regulated by the federal government and not by the states, started things off in April, eventually followed by commercial casinos in Deadwood, S.D. The South Dakota properties had been the last commercial casinos in the country to close. As of Thursday, it was still mostly tribal casinos that had opened, but the large commercial casino markets of Louisiana and Mississippi were starting to reemerge.
Here’s a look at the number of casinos open in each state:
Note: This list could be outdated as properties continue to come back, some with little press attention.
- Oklahoma: 33
- Louisiana: 18
- Mississippi: 17
- South Dakota: 15
- Washington State: 13
- California: 6
- Arizona: 6
- Arkansas: 3
- Idaho: 3
- Oregon: 2
- Montana: 2
- North Carolina: 2
- Florida: 2
- North Dakota: 1
- Minnesota: 1
- Michigan: 1
- New York: 1
The state of Oklahoma is home to more than 130 tribal casinos, according to the AGA.
The casinos are implementing what they call “safety” precautions due to the COVID-19 virus.
Poker rooms?
For the most part, casinos appear to be hesitant to resume poker games. Slots and table games are more manageable in terms of social distancing and disinfecting. Poker rooms are also not big moneymakers for a Las Vegas-style casino.
In Florida, though, with poker rooms representing a major component of the businesses of many of the gambling facilities, it appears properties are willing to roll the dice.
NEW: Casino in Hialeah, Florida tests their updated poker tables. pic.twitter.com/VEQ6XuJZAO
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) May 14, 2020
Another poker room in Florida is using bottles of hand sanitizer as the dealer button.
Check out our brand new sanitizer Dealer Button!
We are back and ready for you from 10am to 10pm daily!If you are showing any symptoms of Covid-19, please be courteous and stay home. pic.twitter.com/8JbJ7oUi90
— DerbyLanePoker (@DerbyLane_Poker) May 20, 2020
Another Florida card room is going with paper cards and no table transfers to reopen its room.
Florida's @PBKennelClub plans to reopen on Friday, May 22. The poker room will open at 9am daily offering cash games. Will be operating at 50% capacity.
New poker room procedures below. pic.twitter.com/AcmZ0fWwLG
— Chad Holloway (@ChadAHolloway) May 21, 2020
While it appears some poker rooms that are reopening are reducing the number of players seated at the table, one poker room in California has retained nine-player games.
RT @HoldemMedia_Dan: First images in from Towers Casino in Grass Valley, CA, first California cardroom to open since quarantine announced .. only 3rd poker room in US pitching cards. 9-handed play today, staff and players wearing masks. … … pic.twitter.com/QbO4qJo2jZ pic.twitter.com/lstN2uLZdo
— Hells Angel Poker (@HellsAngelPoker) May 21, 2020
Texas “social” poker rooms are starting to reopen as well.
First tournament with our plexiglass on our tables. pic.twitter.com/wjlG1lQOQC
— The House Club Poker Room & Lounge (@THCpokerroom) May 18, 2020
