The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opened to a limited crowd on Thursday after staying closed for more than four months amid the worst health crisis that has gripped the world in many years.
Atlantic City’s highest grossing casino welcomed a limited number of invited guests yesterday in preparation for its reopening to the general public this coming Sunday. The Borgata will resume welcoming guests and visitors at 10 am that day.
The property was the last of Atlantic City’s nine operational casinos to resume operations after the four-month shutdown. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy allowed the gambling venues to reopen ahead of the July 4 weekend.
All properties now operate with reduced capacity in line with guidelines from local, state, and national health authorities. The gambling venues do not offer indoor dining and smoking. Drinking on the casino floors is prohibited, as well.
Masks Are Mandatory at the Borgata
The Borgata, just as all other properties owned by Las Vegas casino powerhouse MGM Resorts International, takes all guests’ temperatures upon arrival. Patrons are also required to wear face masks around the hotel and casino resort and to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The Borgata has plexiglass dividers installed at table games on the casino floor. In addition, every other slot machine has been turned off to provide safe distance for patrons.
Other health and safety measures adopted by the casino include touchless food and beverage menus, handwashing stations on the gaming floor, and no valet service. Almost all of Borgata’s outdoor space has been transformed and utilized for dining and beverage offerings.
In addition, the resort has transformed its indoor pool area and adjacent garden into a player lounge for high rollers.
Property Took Time to Reassess and Strategize
As mentioned earlier, the Borgata was the last Atlantic City casino to reopen doors after the statewide shutdown of non-essential businesses in the face of the Covid-19 crisis.
Commenting on their decision not to reopen during the July 4 weekend, as most of the city’s casinos did, property President and COO Melonie Johnson said that it was never their “intent to open first in the Atlantic City market” and that they wanted to make sure that “when we opened, we opened safely, for our employees and our guests.”
Ms. Johnson further elaborated that they “took time to reassess and strategize” and that what they have come up with and what they have to offer their guests is “amazing.”
The Borgata’s management is hoping that sports fans would still come to the property’s sportsbook to place bets. They will be able to watch the game on the big screen inside the facility, but will not be served food and drinks.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the day’s top casino news stories