Winstar Casino Oklahoma Reopening
- WinStar World Casino and the other gaming facilities operated by the Chickasaw Nation also reopened on Wednesday. A spokesperson for WinStar says the casino had over 500 people waiting in line.
- The casino many in North Texas head to — the WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma — will reopen Wednesday. WinStar, like other casinos across the country, has been closed since mid-March.
- May 28, 2020 Most casinos prefer spending more time preparing for a grand reopening. Previous announcements from the Chickasaw Nation, which owns the popular WinStar World Casino and Resort near Thackerville.
WinStar World Casino and Resort, Riverstar Casino and all other gaming facilities owned by the Chickasaw Nation will open at 25% of capacity next week and guests will be required to wear a face covering.
In a release on Friday, Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby announced all Chickasaw Nation casinos would open on Wednesday at 8 a.m. at reduced capacity and guests and employees will be required to wear protective face coverings at all times.
Anoatubby states in the release that the casinos will adhere to social distance guidelines and strict sanitation policies, closing every day from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. to clean and disinfect, to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
The release also stated that casino personnel will check the temperatures of all patrons entering each facility and will deny entry to those with a confirmed temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher.
The WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville is set to reopen Wednesday after closing its doors more than two months ago due to COVID-19. Find out how the staff is preparing. WinStar to reopen Oklahoma casino on Wednesday at reduced capacity The casino operated by the Chickasaw Nation is one of the closest to the Dallas-Fort Worth region. WinStar World Casino.
“We have a responsibility to ensure our facilities remain safe places for our employees and patrons as we reopen,” Anoatubby said. “Therefore, our leadership team has developed a comprehensive plan with numerous levels of protection in place to protect the health of our employees and patrons.
“We continue closely monitoring the data and consulting health professionals in an effort to maintain the most effective containment measures available and minimize any possibility of resurgence.”
Anoatubby said preparations for reopening began weeks ago and include employee testing, alterations to facilities and employee training to ensure enhanced disinfecting protocols and safety procedures are implemented effectively.
Table games, off-track betting, poker, bingo, entertainment options, WinStar Convention Center and other amenities will remain closed during Phase One of the reopening, according to the release.
Adam Kemp is a news and health reporter for The Oklahoman. He grew up in Oklahoma City before attending Oklahoma State University. Read more ›
Casinos in southern Oklahoma are preparing to reopen after being closed for more than two months.
North Texans are looking for ways to get away.
Wednesday, two destinations within driving distance will reopen.
Both WinStar World and Choctaw casinos and resorts, just across the Texas-Oklahoma border, will open for the first time since March.
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Winstar Casino Oklahoma Journey
At WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma, luck isn't the only thing visitors will need.
Guests and employees will be required to wear masks, and temperatures will be checked at the door.
“We're going to be patient and careful and not let emotion overtake patience,” WinStar General Manager Jack Parkinson said.
Casinos in Las Vegas plan to reopen in early June with many of the same safety measures in place closer to home.
Winstar Casino Oklahoma Reopening Today
Slot machines will spaced out, half the chairs will be gone, and self-serve drink stations and buffets will be staffed. The non-smoking section has also been doubled.
“We'll have hordesof humans, employees, chasing after people, cleaning up after them and makingsure that we're sterile at all times,” Parkinson said.
Customers will see social distancing reminders and hand sanitizer everywhere, but the most striking difference will be table games that remain closed at WinStar.
Winstar Casino Oklahoma Reopening Update
When we do open it'll only be three people at a table instead of seven,” Parkinson said.
Table games will reopen at Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, Oklahoma, but limited to every other seat. Tables in play will be staggered. Guests will also be encouraged, but not required, to wear masks at Choctaw.
Both casinos said they planned to limit capacity and close for several hours overnight for deep cleaning, including a use of electrostatic sprayers and EPA-certified chemicals, according to Parkinson.
“It's a cost that's calculated and well worth it,” he said.
Parkinson said WinStar has done everything to prepare and planned to reopen in phases because the stakes couldn't be higher.
He said all 4,000 WinStar employees were tested for the coronavirus before they returned to work and the casino will perform random testing every two weeks.
Click here for reopening protocols for WinStar Word Casino and Resort and Choctaw Casino & Resort.