Tropicana Casino Atlantic City Reopening
Anyone hoping to spend Memorial Day weekend at Tropicana Atlantic City will have to wait until the next Memorial Day in 2021.
Customers attempting to make online reservations get this message:
Unfortunately, there are no available rooms. Please try your search again for other dates.
And we even tried booking for June and July. Believe it or not, the first available date currently showing is Sept. 8. The rate is $59.
The coronavirus pandemic impacted Eldorado Resorts properties across the country.
The Tropicana AC team continues to discuss its reopening plans behind the scenes. However, we can assume Eldorado will be implementing similar practices in the Garden State as it does in states where its casinos reopened.
Tropicana Atlantic City Online Casino is packed with slots and classic casino games. Stop by to try out famous slot games and you could win a huge jackpot! Phil Murphy said Sunday he hopes Atlantic City casinos can be reopened around July 4, but stressed that strict social distancing and occupancy limits will have to be enforced to make sure.
Tropicana AC post-pandemic: what might it look like
While the Trop is still locked, its parent companyis testing its health and safety protocols in Louisiana, where three casinos are back in business.
Company Release – 5/18/20: Eldorado Resorts to reopen three Louisiana Casinos at Noon CT Todayhttps://t.co/fnfmhL52Qo
— Eldorado Resorts Inc (@EldoradoGaming) May 18, 2020
In Lousiana, the company follows the regulations published by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
In that state, gaming positions are limited to 50% of prior levels. And the patron count is set at 25% of maximum occupancy allowable.
The press release does mention the words “other markets,” though.
Anthony Carano, president and chief operating officer of Eldorado Resorts, commented on the plans:
“As we resume operations at our properties, the health and safety of our team members and guests is our number one priority. We have been working very hard over the last two months to prepare for the reopening of our casinos and we look forward to providing the outstanding service and hospitality experiences Eldorado is known for in a safe manner.”
Here is a look at some of the protocols that appear on the company website:
- Social distancing:Work together to practice social distancing throughout the property. Please refrain from congregating in groups.
- Hand washing:Please wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the property.
- Clean and sanitize:We are frequently sanitizing and cleaning all high-touch surfaces.
- Face masks:Team members will wear face masks and guests will be encouraged to do the same.
The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement will likely post its own COVID-19 regulations for casinos. And a state Senate panel has a pair of bills that would enlist the NJ Health Department to set standards for Atlantic City casinos to meet before opening.
Tropicana impact beyond the casino floor
The 125,000 square feet of gaming space is a small piece of the property though.
There are 2,300 plus empty hotel rooms. And The Quarter, a massive dining and entertainment space themed after Old Havana, is crying for customers.
Then there is the IMAX Theatre. A closed message holds the spot of future movie listings. For now, continue streaming at home.
As far as live entertainment, shows are rescheduled from previous dates:
- Hollywood Nights – The Bob Seger Experience: July 10
- Sister Sledge: July 18
- Little River Band: July 24
But how many people will be permitted in the showrooms once they reopen? That’s still an unknown.
The Trop hosts Saturday night fireworks on the Boardwalk every summer. Social distancing guidelines will likely prevent it from happening this year.
Of course, all of these decisions are in the hands of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. And as he notes, New Jersey is still in Stage 1 of reopening:
STAGE 3:
This will depend on progress continuing from Stage 2.
This will include:
-Allowing shoppers to once again enter downtown and main street storefronts
-Limited gatherings with appropriate safeguards pic.twitter.com/9LdVygURKU
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 18, 2020
Make Memorial Day a beach day for now
Memorial Day weekend typically marks the unofficial start of summer.
The good news is New Jersey beaches, including in Atlantic City, are open to beachgoers this weekend. As expected, restrictions will be in place.
However, sitting in front of the Tropicana is an option.
And while the slot machines are turned off, NJ online casinos are still open 24/7.
April online gaming revenue hit $80 million, a new all-time high. And it seems the regulars are visiting the Tropicana online casino.
The license holder reported nearly $6 million for the month, good enough for a 62.4% year-over-year increase. That number includes Virgin online casino.
But sooner or later, players will be back on the Tropicana casino floor.
So instead of thinking about being quarantined, think about the better days ahead.
bright summer days are ahead ☀️ #Summer2020#InThisTogetherpic.twitter.com/kwzSEdjX1Z
— Tropicana AC (@TropicanaAC) May 16, 2020
For Atlantic City casinos, forced to close March 16 until further notice due to the coronavirus, further notice has come.
On Monday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that Atlantic City’s nine casinos can reopen to gamblers on July 2 with 25% capacity limits.
On the same day, spectators can place live wagers at horse-racing facilities. This comes just in time for Monmouth Park’s July 3 delayed live-meet opening.
Atlantic City casinos prep for reopening
The ability to open before the holiday weekend and take live bets has been considered crucial for the track’s ability to survive.
Casinos, meanwhile, are planning their re-emergence from a 107-day COVID-19 shutdown, which crippled second-quarter financial results.
Thousands of layoffs and millions of dollars in lost revenue have occurred during this period, although NJ online gaming revenues have increased.
The state has lost close to $20 million in direct tax revenue, according to industry estimates. Thankfully, that’s about to change.
“Thousands of New Jerseyans can now get back to work,” Murphy said on Monday. He added that the casino industry’s offer to partner with the state to assist with contact-tracing data impacted the decision to reopen.
Some casinos may only open for “friends, family and loyal customers” on July 2 to test the new protocols, Murphy said.
Borgata Atlantic City confirmed via a press release on Tuesday that it would not open to the public until July 6.
Indoor dining limits at statewide restaurants will also be 25% capacity, Murphy indicated, but he was optimistic that those percentages would increase before long. The percentage extends to casino restaurants.
Health guidelines at AC casinos will be strictly enforced
Although health-related protocols are not finalized, Murphy told casino visitors to expect mandatory health screening, mask wearing and density limits inside.
He said the measures will be strictly enforced.
“I hate to even say this, but if any visitor refuses to comply with these simple safeguards, the person will be escorted out of the casino. We are not going to tolerate any knuckleheads for the people who are enjoying themselves responsibly and for the people who need to get back to work.”
Atlantic City casino executives and some area mayors have spoken regularly with Murphy over the last couple of months. They have offered safety measures designed to help restart business and gaming operations.
Regarding contact tracing, for example, casino players are rated. Properties have databases that can provide information on a majority of their players to state officials.
Based on the pace of announcements, the casino industry appears to be leading the enhanced health effort rather than reacting to regulations.
Murphy cited the partnership between gaming and state officials Monday, saying that “the conversations with our friends in the casino industry will continue.”
Hard Rock AC, other casinos release safety plans early
Casinos in Atlantic City have been slowly releasing safety procedures since May.
Borgata and its parent company MGM announced a seven-point safety plan, and Resorts is installing air purifiers throughout its property.
Hard Rock Atlantic City released some of its mandatory policies ahead of Monday’s announcement. They include:
- Mandated masks (guests and team members)
- Temperature checks (guests and team members)
- A new Safe + Sound Clean Team
- Increased quality of air circulation
- AtlantiCare partnership focused on contact tracing, training, telehealth and more
“We’re delighted to get the reopening date,” said Joe Lupo, president of the Hard Rock casino.
“We thank the governor that we’ll be able to be open for the July Fourth weekend to meet the demand on the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk.”
Late Monday afternoon, Ocean Casino Resort sent a media advisory regarding its iconic rooftop ball. It will be utilized as a countdown starting Monday at dusk and running through July 1.
This means July 2 is New Year’s Day number 2 in 2020.
Counting down the days on our beacon of light! How excited are you for our reopening on July 2nd?⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6csvzWWX0L
— Ocean Casino Resort (@TheOceanAC) June 23, 2020
Up and down the Boardwalk, casino receptionists enthusiastically greeted callers, providing more general information than normal in response to inquiries.
There is a sense of rebirth similar to the opening of a casino property.
Reading between the lines
Given Murphy’s hope for dining capacity to increase and the conversations casino officials have had with him, it’s reasonable to believe the operational capacity will expand sooner rather than later.
But Murphy maintained a cautious approach Monday, reminding people “to use common sense for the common good.”
He noted that New Jersey’s social distancing measures, forcing the shutdown of the industry and Garden State businesses, had been worthwhile.
“We had the pain of discipline, not the pain of regret,” Murphy said.
Two significant pieces of data drove the reopening announcement, Murphy said.
New Jersey’s positive test rate for COVID-19 was 2.42%, a number that had been “at least five or six times higher” in recent months.
The new spread rate is 0.76%, he said. That means for every positive test, there is fewer than one new case.
But Murphy also said people may be letting their guard down too much and should maintain social distancing protocols.
‘The middle part of the second phase’
On Monday, New Jersey pools, barbershops, salons and tattoo parlors reopened with COVID-19 restrictions. Murphy called Monday the middle part of the second phase of reopening from coronavirus closures.
As expected on Monday, the restriction on outdoor gatherings increased to 250 people, and indoor gatherings are now capped at 100 or 25% capacity.
Tropicana Casino Atlantic City Reopening Date
It’s uncertain how casinos will vary their use of 25%. Rooms, for example, are not likely going to be 100% available for reservations.
It’s also not known how restaurants on casino grounds that are not owned by the casino count toward its percentage of space.
Tropicana Casino Atlantic City Reopening 2019
Gaming officials hope that won’t be a consideration for too long and that the next “further notice” will signal expanded operations.