Caesars Entertainment opened back up its three Atlantic City casinos to the public this week with little fanfare. Caesars, Bally’s, and Harrah’s had all been closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The casino guests were first asked questions pertaining to their health before they were granted entry to the venue. This was a requirement for all casinos in Atlantic City, as ordered by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
At the Caesars casino properties there were social distancing and hygienic modifications in place on the casino floors. There were inactive slot machines at regular intervals to ensure social distancing, as well as plexiglass partitions around the table games. There were also capacity limits on the elevators.
“Today is an exciting day because we get to welcome back our team members and guests to Caesars, Harrah’s Resort and Bally’s and look forward to making new memories together,” the company’s regional president, Ron Baumann, said before cutting the ribbon at the Caesars reopening ceremony.
“Our health and safety protocols are at the forefront of our signature brand of hospitality, while continuing to offer a fun and enjoyable experience for guests. At the same time, we are excited to launch a first for us — al fresco dining experiences at each resort, starting today, just in time for the holiday weekend.”
The vibe on the Caesars casino floor was quiet and while caution was in the air, players still enjoyed the gaming action. There were partitions in place to separate the players and the dealers as well as a ‘Clean Team’ that wiped the seats down on a regular basis.
According to Baumann, the weekend was booked out with the capacity decreased to 25% as per state guidelines. At Caesars, Bally’s, and Harrah’s there was space aplenty not only on the casino floor but around the public areas of the casino properties.
Most drink and food services were closed due to the ban on those services at the casinos. There was takeout food service available at Caesars, while the big first-floor bar was shuttered. Also absent were the cocktail servers on the casino floor.
Even with the ban in place, many of the Atlantic City casinos are offering outdoor dining. Gordon Ramsay’s Steak at Harrah’s, Guy Fieri’s Flavortown at Bally’s, and various al fresco dining options at Caesars are now open.
While the Caesars casinos opened, the sportsbooks at Bally’s and Harrah’s remained closed. They are set to open their doors when the pro sports return around the end of July.
Baumann stated, “There’s not a lot of interest right now or things to bet on. By the end of the month, if the NBA sticks to their plan, if the NHL sticks to their plan, all that, then we’ll reopen the books and start taking bets.”