MGM Resorts International will open two of its east coast resorts a week apart.
The Las Vegas-based company said Tuesday it will reopen MGM National Harbor in Maryland on Monday, more than a week after the state ended its three-month gaming industry shut down due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
A week later, MGM will open Borgata in Atlantic City to the public on Monday, July 6, following the July 4th holiday weekend. A hosted, invitation-only event will take place ahead of the public reopening.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday said Atlantic City’s nine casinos could reopen on July 2 with 25% occupancy and with health and safety requirements including a directive that all those who enter one of the properties – employees and patrons – wear facial masks.
MGM Resorts has reopened five resorts in Las Vegas – with two more planned by July 1 – both of its properties in Mississippi, and MGM Northfield in Ohio. The company has not set a reopening date for either MGM Springfield in Massachusetts or Empire City Casino in New York.
MGM National Harbor, located across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., has been Maryland’s leading revenue-producing casino each month since it opened December 2016.
MGM Resorts is operating all its reopened properties under its “Seven-Point Safety Plan,” a multi-layered set of protocols and procedures designed in conjunction with medical and scientific experts to mitigate the spread of the virus, protect customers and employees and rapidly respond to potential new cases.
In Maryland, MGM will have an invitation-only event that will take place ahead of the public reopening at 6 a.m. on Monday. MGM National Harbor’s amenity offerings initially will be limited with plans to open additional venues in the coming weeks and months.
“We are proud and excited to begin getting our employees back to work and to continue working with our local business partners,” Jorge Perez, MGM Resorts regional portfolio president and president of MGM National Harbor, said in a statement.
Borgata will reopen in Atlantic City at 10:00 a.m. on July 6
will reopen to the general public following its closure earlier this year amidst the coronavirus crisis. A hosted, invitation-only event will take place ahead of the public reopening. Borgata’s amenity offerings initially will be limited with plans to open additional venues in the coming weeks and months.
“We are proud to be part of this resilient community that has remained strong and caring during these challenging months. When we reopen our doors, we do so with excitement to welcome back our employees and guests, and with an unwavering commitment to their health and safety,” said Melonie Johnson, President of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. “Summer is a special time in Atlantic City, and we look forward to playing a part in offering some much-needed entertainment.”
Murphy plans to release detailed health and safety regulations for the casinos this week, which will include the requirement that employees and guests all wear masks.
The Borgata will not all its amenities will be open right away. It plans to phase in restaurants and other non-gaming areas over the coming weeks as it becomes evident how business levels and customer compliance with health and safety regulations are unfolding.
Shares of MGM Resorts closed at $18.46 Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange, up 69 cents or 3.88%.
Associated Press contributed.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgamingreports.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
