The Massachusetts Gaming Commission met on Wednesday and finalize its minimum requirements for reopening the state’s casinos. The regulators had initially decided to finalize the rules for a safe reopening of the casinos and slot parlors. However, they opted to delay their final guidelines.

Three-month shutdown continues

The MGM Springfield casino and Plainridge Park Casino alongside the Encore Boston Harbor have been closed since March 15. None of these casinos can reopen before June 29. Even though Nevada and some other states have started reopening their casinos, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission wants to wait to see how these states have fared before taking a decision.

Their plans include keeping poker tables restricted and limiting the number of players at table games like blackjack to three. The commission also aims to keep slot machines separated and keep a barrier between them of some kind. It is also thinking about keeping limits on the occupancy of the casinos. However, the licensees are not happy with the proposal.

What do licensees believe?

According to commission chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein,

“Our licensees are saying to us that there is a potential that that is a game-changer for them, to impose that requirement. We have, without knowing that, we all agreed that that made good sense in light of the current public health standards.”

Though the gaming establishments did not suggest that they would not be willing to reopen under the proposals. However, they said that they seek more clarity on what the changes would mean for their business. They specifically wanted to know how the capacity limits would be affecting their employees.

The commission has now decided to delay the guidance document. Interim Executive Director Karen Wells will be working with each licensee to understand their concerns. The next meeting will be decided after it is complete. MGM counsel Patrick Madamba said that they are in uncharted waters and are trying to do the best that they can.