Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc., the company that owns Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, has announced the reopening of its Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Biloxi in Biloxi, MS effective yesterday. Hard Rock Biloxi is the Company’s second-largest casino operation and represents approximately 20% of the Company’s current portfolio.
Twin River has implemented property-specific comprehensive health and safety protocols, developed in close consultation with state regulators and public health officials in Mississippi. More details on these health and safety protocols can be found on the property specific website at www.hardrockbiloxi.com. These protocols are part of the Company’s overall COVID-19 reopening plan, the components of which are designed to meet or exceed all guidelines established by the CDC.
“Our ability to reopen Hard Rock Biloxi is a testament to the hard work of our team during this pandemic and we were encouraged by the first day results which, even with reduced hours and significant safety protocols in place, generated slot revenue volumes approximately double those of the same day last year,” said George Papanier, President and Chief Executive Officer. “While it is only one day of performance, we are excited and thankful to welcome back our valued team members and loyal customers to an environment that meets or exceeds CDC guidance. We appreciate the collaborative nature of our regulatory relationships in Mississippi, and we will continue to work closely with regulators and public health officials in other states to ensure the timely reopening of our other properties as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.”
With respect to Twin River’s six casinos in Rhode Island, Delaware and Colorado, the Company is actively preparing for the resumption of gaming operations. The Company is working closely with the respective state regulators and public health officials to finalize the comprehensive reopening plans for its other properties. Among other things, these plans include potential screening of team members and guests upon entrance of the properties; thermal imaging cameras; enforcement of social distancing guidelines; including spacing between VLTs and limited or no table games to start; frequent cleaning and sanitizing protocols for all areas; mask protection requirements; and public awareness signage. The Company will provide updated information on the reopening of these additional properties upon receiving all necessary approvals.
Mr. Papanier continued, “As we reopen our properties, we believe we will benefit from our status as a regional gaming company that is largely focused on local and regional visitation rather than air travel, destination or convention business. As such, we believe we are well-positioned to resume our growth trajectory and drive results upon resuming full operations.”
In Delaware, casinos must follow the following guidelines to reopen under on Governor Carney’s June 1st Phase I plan.
- Such plans must cover all requirements set forth here, both in the general guidance and industry specific guidance, and must also cover any requirement adopted by State Lottery.
- Prior to reopening, each licensee shall clean and disinfect all of its hard and soft surfaces in accordance with the guidelines published by the CDC.
- Each licensee must ensure employees are adequately trained on proper procedures and policies for cleaning and preventing the spread of COVID-19.
- Each licensee must provide proper signage as required by State Lottery for both employees and guests throughout the facility.
- At no time shall the facility of a licensee be filled beyond 30% of its fire code occupancy.
- Any individual gaming machines must be kept at least eight feet apart, and must be disinfected every 15 minutes to 2 hours.
- Any gaming area (sportsbook, tables) with multiple guests needs to be arranged in a way to ensure that guests are properly socially distanced at all times.
- Employees should be assigned to ensure guests do not congregate in groups.
- Plans must ensure that patrons do not congregate in groups and practice proper distancing in these areas. Plans must address how the race & sportsbook, and any other gaming area will be cleaned and disinfected on a frequent basis.
- All food and drink facilities on the premises of a licensee must follow the guidelines for the food and drink industry.
- All lodging facilities on the premises of a licensee must follow the State of Emergency Order and restrictions on the commercial lodging industry.
- All retail shops on the premises of a licensee must follow guidelines for the retail industry.
All licensees must create a facility-specific plan to limit the spread of COVID-19 and must submit the plan to State Lottery seven days prior to any reopening. Plans must be reviewed and approved by the State Lottery and the Division of Public Health. Plans should be continuously reviewed and executed to ensure the health and safety of licensee guests and employees.
Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc. owns and manages seven casinos, two in Rhode Island, one in Mississippi, one in Delaware, and three casinos as well as a horse racetrack that has 13 authorized OTB licenses in Colorado. Properties include Twin River Casino Hotel (Lincoln, RI), Tiverton Casino Hotel (Tiverton, RI), Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Biloxi, MS), Dover Downs Hotel & Casino (Dover, DE), Golden Gates Casino (Black Hawk, CO), Golden Gulch Casino (Black Hawk, CO), Mardi Gras Casino (Black Hawk, CO), and Arapahoe Park racetrack (Aurora, CO). Its casinos range in size from 695 slots and 17 table games combined for its Colorado facilities to properties with over 4,100 slots, approximately 125 table games, and 48 stadium gaming positions, along with hotel and resort amenities. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “TRWH.”