Pa Casinos Shutdown

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Multiple sources told The Morning Call Thursday afternoon that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf plans to announce a new slate of coronavirus-driven restrictions that include a three-week shutdown of indoor restaurant dining, high school sports, and gyms and casinos.

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  • Some casinos in Pennsylvania plan to reopen their doors on January 4, following a mandatory three-week shutdown of their gaming operations ordered by Gov. The Meadows and nine other Pennsylvania casinos will welcome back guests on January 4.
  • The first round of mandatory Pennsylvania casino closures lasted three and a half months, from March 16 to July 2. The Meadows Racetrack and Casino and Rivers Casino Pittsburgh were the first to reopen on June 9.
  • Casinos in Pennsylvania are once again closing due to the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases. All PA casinos will be closed from Dec. 4, and possibly longer. PlayPennsylvania will continue to provide updates on Pennsylvania casino closures and eventual reopenings as information becomes available.
  • The shutdown of the state’s 12 operating casinos and three off-track betting parlors has devastated the industry and cut off a lucrative source of tax revenue for the state. State regulated gaming generates more than $1.5 billion in tax revenue during a typical year, but that was reduced to a trickle from online gaming.

Also on Friday, Rivers Philadelphia will shut down on orders from the city, though other Pennsylvania casinos will remain open for now. In Colorado, the Department of Public Health and Environment came close to ordering the outright closure of Cripple Creek casinos, but changed its mind at the last moment.

Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine are scheduled to hold a virtual press conference at 4 p.m.

The press conference comes on a day when the state reported more than 11,972 more cases of the virus and 248 more deaths.

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Wolf — who announced Wednesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus himself — on Monday described out-of-control virus spread as a threat to hospital systems in the state.

Speculation and concern about the anticipated announcement continued through the week.

Restaurant owners were among the groups most concerned. Sue Dech, who along with her husband owns the Southside 313 bar and restaurant in Bethlehem, said the business was still open but struggling because of many virus restrictions issued previously.

“We are devastated,” said Dech. “You don’t know what to think or what to do. It is just day-by-day.”

On Thursday, state House Republicans repeated a statement issued earlier in the week and directed at Wolf, in anticipation of more restrictions.

House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff of Centre County said, “Gov. Wolf, do not cancel Christmas. Do not use your executive order pen to devastate lives and livelihoods. Government mandates will not cure COVID-19 and unilateral shutdowns will not create personal responsibility.”

Benninghoff said Pennsylvanians are “smart and compassionate” and “by now, they know how to keep themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors safe.”

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This story will be updated. Morning Call Capitol correspondent Ford Turner can be reached at fturner@mcall.com

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J&S Pizza manager Domenico Schiano-Di Cola wipes down a table Monday, Jan. 4, 2020, as Citizens Hose EMT Jim Erb and Ben Cassoni sit for lunch inside the restaurant.

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Nick Lubresky, 24, of Harrison works out at Legends of Pittsburgh gym at the Pittsburgh Mills Monday, Jan. 4. Gov. Tom Wolf lifted the covid-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania that had closed gyms and indoor dining at restaurants.
Villa Ballanca and restaurants statewide halted indoor dining for three weeks after new covid-19 mitigation measures went into place as cases surged after the Thanksgiving holiday. The restrictions expired at 8 a.m. Jan. 4.

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George Kleckner of Greensburg exercises at the Aerobic Center in Greensburg.
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Mark Grant bench presses weights at Aerobic Center in Greensburg.
Grapeville Station in Hempfield

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Daniel Ereditario, owner of Grapeville Station.