Ute Mountain Casino, Colorado Casino Industry Playing The Waiting Game
Gambling business was severely impacted by COVID-19.
It&;s no secret that nearly every industry in Colorado is suffering hardships as COVID-19 makes its way across the state. The state&;s gaming industry has been no exception. On March 17, Gov. Jared Polis ordered the temporary closure of Colorado&;s casinos as part of an initiative to slow the spread of COVID-19. This move predates Gov. Polis&; larger initiative, which has shut down the majority of non-essential businesses across the state. The governor issued a Stay at Home Order pertaining to all residents in the state, which began on March 26.
Businesses that tend to draw sizable masses, like games and sports venues, run a particularly high risk of spreading COVID-19 in regions where it has started to spread. These companies have therefore taken action to keep their people safe and secure.
Casinos adhere to Governor & ’s shutdown directive.
The COVID-19 outbreak in Colorado has begun to garner more media interest. The virus is spreading into other regions of the state, like Mesa and Montezuma province, from the heavily congested areas of Denver.
On March 28, the Southwest Health System and Montezuma County Public Health Department announced the county’s first COVID-19 good situation. To stop the virus from spreading further, the Ute Mountain tribal government ordered the suspension of all games activities.
The business likely to be most affected by the tribal council&;s order is the Ute Mountain Casino. Rick Sheer, general manager at Ute Mountain Casino, spoke to PlayinСolorado about what the Casino&;s next steps are during this troubling time. Sheer explained that the casino is still operating its two travel centers and one of the largest diesel filling stations in the area while still complying with local curfews and guidance offered by the tribal council chairman Manual Heart.
Sheer added that the game had originally intended to resume operations by April 9. Sheer, however, emphasized that the casino & ’s primary concern is the health of the neighborhood as the virus is now pounding on their door. It is a fluid time right now, and we & are doing the best we can with it. Andrdquo, Sheer said,” Our main concern at this time is keeping our employees, customers, the tribe safe and healthy.” & rdquo,
However aiming for May 1
The majority of Colorado casinos, like Ute Mountain Casino, are unsure of when operations may be permitted to begin. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted the gaming sector, but Colorado & ’s Gaming Division is still concentrating on the requirement that sports betting be legalized in the state as of May 1.
The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission ( LGCC ) has recently approved more than a dozen sporting betting licenses and intends to grant an additional 33 license to online and retail sportsbooks across the state, despite the recent closure of Colorado & ’s physical gambling and gaming infrastructure.
It might seem odd that the CLGCC is moving forward with a May 1 launch date on sports betting when Colorado&;s casinos are closed for the foreseeable future. But as the virus spreads, Colorado&;s gaming and gambling industry continues to look for innovative strategies to stay ahead of the game. For example, to help mitigate the risk of exposure to gamblers and casino employees, the commission has approved Temporary Internet Sports Betting Operator Licenses for Fox Bet, PointsBet, and FanDuel Sportsbook. According to division director, Dan Hartman, the gaming division in still aiming for a May 1 launch date, but the commission will need to revisit the impact of COVID-19 on the gaming industry at its next meeting in April.
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