Some Michigan casinos plan on reopening soon after closing to help stop spread of COVID-19

Casinos initially closed voluntarily

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Detroit’s casinos remain closed, but 7 Indian casinos -- which closed voluntarily -- are reopening in the coming days.

That includes Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek and Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. The casinos are taking steps to minimize the risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19).

READ: How MGM Grand Detroit will look when it reopens following coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown

Soaring Eagle Casino will have temperature checks. CEO Mike Bean acknowledges that many will look at casinos and assume they will have potential to become a hot spot for coronavirus.

The tables will have Plexiglas between the players and the dealer. But the biggest issue is the chips, cards and slot machines. All of those could have hundreds of players touch before they’re sanitized.

Local 4′s Dr. Frank McGeorge said going to the casino right now would be a health gamble. There are countless high-touch surfaces and even with aggressive cleaning things could be overlooked.

READ: Greektown Casino-Hotel provides housing for Detroit first responders working during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Watch the full report above.


About the Authors

Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.

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