Oneida Indian Nation officially greenlighted casino operation at its three brick-and-mortar casino locations in New York State witnessed their opening this week. June 10 was pinpointed as the official start of operation at Turning Stone Resort Casino, Yellow Brick Road Casino, and Point Place Casino. The tribal casino locations welcomed many patrons queueing up to enter their premises.
In-person gaming is here to stay and many players had been looking forward to this moment for quite some time. Ever since mid-March, all land-based casino locations have been closed for business, as the unprecedented situation mandated physical distancing. Over the past few months, both commercial and tribal casino locations remained closed for business and the host communities benefitting from them felt the impact.
Turning Stone Resort Casino
Now it is time for the tribal casino operators to make a move following a careful evaluation of the situation. Oneida Indian Nation has its own compact with the State of New York allowing it to make its own choices when it comes to gambling operation. While all four commercial casinos remain closed and strictly following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s words, Native American tribes make their own evaluations.
Oneida Indian Nation made it clear that the reopening of the casino locations is considered a safe move at this point of the year. Yellow Brick Road Casino in Chittenango, Point Place Casino in Bridgeport, and Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona welcomed their first casino patrons in a while this Wednesday. June 10 saw all of them open at 8 a.m. and people were queueing ahead of this hour.
Casino patrons made it clear that the physical distancing measures implemented across the state had made them feel trapped in their own homes. Many of them have craved the excitement of live casino gaming and the in-person factor they could not find online. Some Verona residents were queueing up to enter the casino location ever since 3 a.m. on June 10.
Casinos Reopen
The three casino hotspots were thoroughly prepared for their official reopening, as various safety measures had to be introduced ahead of the launch. This process took longer than the quick closure at the beginning of the lockdown period. Oneida Nation of Indians is striving to protect both the casino staff and the casino patrons making their way there.
The first guests and patrons to make their way to the tribal gaming hotspots had the chance to explore the gaming floors, sportsbooks, several of the tribal restaurants, the spa, the hotel, two golf courses, and much more, all of which come with their respective safety measures. People entering the venues had to wear masks and also frequently use the sanitation stations available on the premises of the casino complexes.
Oneida Nation representative Ray Halbritter welcomed people making their way to Turning Stone Resort Casino. Tribal casino locations across New York State have already pinpointed the dates for their reopening. Seneca Nation of Indians announced recently that it is about to return to in-person gambling on June 18.
