The Grand Victoria Casino announced reopening after being closed for two months.
The Grand Victoria Casino was closed on November 20 due to coronavirus restrictions. As the positive Covid-19 cases increased, the state was worried that the situation will get even worst.
Not only casinos, but cultural institutions and museum will reopen as well. The status of other businesses is still uncertain.
Grand Victoria Casino expressed its excitement of the good news on social media. The status said: “In an effort to make your return an enjoyable and comfortable experience, Health and Safety protocols, including social distancing, are still in place in accordance with guidelines issued by the State of Illinois,”
Restrictions due to the Pandemic
The conditions under which the casino will open have already been cleared. The working hours are between 8 a.m and 11 p.m. There will be no inside dining or beverage but bottled water is still allowed. The use of face mask is mandatory as well.
Casino representatives states that they will be disinfecting all the gaming machines, the restrooms, as well as frequently touched surfaces like doors, tables and others.
Grand Victoria Casino is part of the Caesars Entertainment’s empire. Although the casino suffered some financial loses due to the pandemic, as part of the brand it is fully protected by Caesars funds.
The brand is planning to sell some of its properties to the Easter Band of Cherokee Indians for the amount of $250 million. Although there have been some disagreements inside the tribe, the Cherokees don’t seem to back out.
At the start of the pandemic last spring, Grand Victoria Casino announced exciting news. William Hill US continued its expansion in Illinois sports betting market by opening its first retail sportsbook in the state.
The new facility adjacent to Grand Victoria Casino’s existing slot machines and table games and the bar of the casino’s floor.
The William Hill facility marks a big win for the company since it allows it to establish a strong relationship with the casino giant.
At the end of 2020 Caesars made a big move toward William Hill acquisition by securing US antitrust clearance.
Before the shut down in November, Grand Victoria Casino noticed decrease of revenue with 51% compared to 2019. According to the prognosis, by that time the money profit from gaming taxes and admission fees for the city of Elgin was supposed to be about $4.8 million in 2020 compared to $8.9 million the previous year.
Source: “Grand Victoria Casino reopens after COVID-19 shutdown”, Chicago Tribune, January 19, 2021