It appears that gaming revenue is getting back to and even surpassing pre-pandemic levels in Massachusetts. It said that certain table games would have to close if poker made a reappearance at the facility. Encore Boston Harbor stated that it would make a decision on how it would proceed before the end of the year. The following month, MGM Springfield confirmed that it planned to reopen its poker room before the end of 2021. In July, many people submitted complaints to the MGC over the lack of live poker games at the state’s casinos. The other major casino resort in the state that had a poker room pre-pandemic, Encore Boston Harbor, has not yet announced when or if it will reopen its poker room. Gaming officials will be closely watching to see how popular poker will be upon its return to Massachusetts. It has gone on a hiring spree in recent weeks, however, hiring new poker dealers and a new poker manager. At the time the restrictions were lifted, MGM Springfield claimed that staff shortages were a reason for not immediately reopening its poker room. It comes about five months after the ending of the last major restrictions from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). MGM Springfield revealed a few weeks ago that it was planning to reopen its poker room on October 29. We are looking forward to welcoming back our loyal players and dozens of employees who have waited for this day for more than a year and a half.” Sole poker room in operation Speaking about the reopening was MGM Springfield COO and president Chris Kelley, who said: “MGM Springfield is thrilled to reopen our Poker Room. Waited for this day for more than a year and a half”

MGM Springfield is committed to making sure that both the casino workers and patrons are kept safe with the reopening of the poker room. For the moment, it will be the sole casino in the state that will be offering poker. Pre-pandemic, there were usually 28 poker tables in operation at the property. Initially, there will be 13 poker tables in operation for cash games, with each table being able to cater to up to nine players. The poker room is opening its doors again at 11am on Friday and will be open every day between 11am and 3am. The poker room at the MGM Springfield casino is set to open for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mgm casino reopening