It will be at least another month before casino gambling starts back up in Massachusetts.
The Mass. Gaming Commission on Friday morning voted unanimously to extend the closure of the state's three gaming facilities -- Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor in Everett -- until at least noon on May 4, in keeping with the latest extension of the governor's essential work order and stay-at-home advisory.
"Not only is it mandated under the current order from the governor, but it's the right thing to do," Commissioner Eileen O'Brien said Friday during a meeting held via conference call.
Regulators on March 14 ordered the temporary closure of gaming facilities and extended that closure on March 25 as the COIVD-19 pandemic took hold and much of the economy was put on mothballs to try to slow the spread of the highly contagious virus. On Friday, the commission agreed to meet again before May 4 specifically to discuss how to proceed.
The Gaming Commission also heard from its racing director Friday that the state's simulcast centers remain closed as non-essential businesses under the governor's order.
The commission is due to publish March revenue figures for the slots parlor and casinos on April 15, which will show the first round of coronavirus pandemic impacts. The state can typically rely on about $21 million in monthly tax revenue from its three gambling halls.
The three gambling centers generated roughly $86 million in gross gaming revenue in February, producing roughly $24.3 million for the state.
