CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Illinois casinos can reopen Wednesday July 1, the state’s Gaming Board announced Thursday.
Casinos were closed March 16, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gambling regulators say they have formulated new safeguards for operators to follow.
“The Gaming Board worked with the Governor’s Office, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to develop a gaming resumption process that protects the public health of patrons and employees, while restarting gaming activities in meaningful way,” Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter said in a news release.
Video gaming also resumes the morning of July 1.
“The video and casino gaming industry have worked cooperatively and professionally with the IGB to develop best practices that create the safest possible environment for gaming, while adhering to IDPH, DCEO, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. We appreciate their cooperation and work toward the mutual goal of a resumption that protects the safety and integrity of Illinois gaming," he said.
Illinois enters the freer Phase 4 of reopening on Friday.