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Date: 3/16/2021
SPRINGFIELD – There were changes for MGM Springfield – some brought by the casino management and some from the state’s Gaming Commission.
Casino guests will see more slot machines at MGM but that will be temporary until the commission and the Baker Administration allows greater activity at the state’s three casinos.
An MGM Springfield spokesperson explained to Reminder Publishing, “We are always looking for ways to evolve our amenities to serve our guests better. As such, MGM Springfield will temporarily convert its poker room to a slot area and temporarily add slot machines to Commonwealth Bar & Lounge. We have yet to reopen the poker room and Commonwealth since the pandemic, therefore, this gives us an opportunity to provide more gaming options to our guests.”
The Gaming Commission last week approved an expansion of some gaming activities. The commission is allowing one more player – from three to four – at blackjack tables and blackjack-style tables and a maximum of six players per table for craps with three players maximum on each side of the table.
According to the commission, “The requirements related to craps state that players must remain seated while gambling, and no patrons will be permitted to stand or congregate around tables. Plexiglass dividers not less than six feet tall will separate the dealer from players, and plexiglass dividers will also separate players from each other and the table itself. A minimum of approximately four feet between player positions would be maintained, measured from the center of each seat. Dice shall each be sanitized between shooters, and the reintroduction of craps will be accompanied by a temporary change to the licensee internal controls, to be applicable in conjunction with COVID-19-related health and safety measures. That temporary change states that: All bets must be placed before the dice are sent out. Signage to the same effect is required on each craps table.”
With blackjack play, the commission noted, “Those requirements state that player positions would continue to be separated by plexiglass dividers not less than 5’10” tall, separating the dealer from players and between player positions. A minimum of approximately three feet between player positions would be maintained, measured from the center of each seat. Chairs for unavailable positions will be removed.”
According to State House News Service, the changes in craps and blackjack could bring back more than 200 jobs for the three casinos.