Tioga Downs, just like all of the other casinos across New York State, shut their doors in mid-March due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Native American owned casinos in New York reopened months ago, but privately owned casinos like Tioga Downs had to wait.

Local political leaders held a press conference at Tioga Downs a couple of months ago begging the governor to let them reopen, but Cuomo said no. The employees of Tioga Downs even staged a rally outside of the Nichols casino last week to try and get the governor's attention, hoping he would finally let them reopen.

According to Spectrum News, Today, Thursday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the casinos in New York State may open on September 9th with restrictions. The casinos will have to operate at 25% capacity and will need an advanced air filtration systems in place.

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People visiting the casino will need to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Cuomo also said that table games will be allowed as long as there are physical barriers in-between players,  and beverage services on the gaming floor will not be allowed when the casinos reopen.

Over the last few weeks I have been to both Turning Stone Casino, which is owned by Native Americans in Verona New York, and Mohegan Sun Pocono Casino which is privately owned and is located in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania. In both cases, the table games were open.

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