Massachusetts casinos still below 40% capacity limit

Massachusetts Gaming Commission said Thursday that the state’s casinos remain well below the 40% occupant capacity limits allowed under coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

The casinos closed for four months when the pandemic struck in March 2020, reopening that July under state and commission guidelines. In February, the state allowed the casinos to increase to 40% capacity from the previous limit of 25%. The limits include workers and staff.

Bruce Band, the Gaming Agents Division Chief, said MGM Springfield recorded its highest capacity, just under 25%, on March 27, with 1,944 people, Mass Live reports. That day coincided with a car giveaway promotion, he said. Pre-pandemic capacity at MGM was about 8,000.

Encore Boston Harbor peaked at 3,664 patrons on the same date, representing 22% capacity during a slot play promotion, Band said. Plainridge Park also hit its high for occupancy on March 27 at about 25% capacity including 1,434 patrons, Band said. That occurred during a sweepstakes promotion, he said.

Operations seem to be going “rather smoothly,” Band said, and commission staff said the casinos are showing strong compliance with COVID-19 regulations and guidelines. “The licensees are continuing to abide by the heightened measures the commission drafted back in June,” said Loretta Lillios, the commission’s director of the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau.

That includes the casinos adhering to requirements for cleaning and sanitization, face covering requirements for patrons and staff, a continued focus on high-touch areas, monitoring for crowding, ample hand washing supplies, signage, floor markings, and distancing measures, Lillios said.

During a March 11 meeting, the commission voted to allow the return of craps games, and an additional seat at blackjack tables at MGM Springfield and Encore. The changes increased the number of chairs for blackjack games from three to four. Band said MGM is expected to reactivate craps soon after needing some tweaks for its camera coverage.