Around 2,000 employees from MGM Springfield will join new applicants for unemployment claims soon. That is the result of the Massachusetts casino shutdown due to the coronavirus.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission told casinos in the state to shut down for two weeks starting March 14. MGM Resorts International said it would pay its workers for two weeks. Plainridge Park and Encore Boston Harbor announced similar schemes.
However, the Gaming Commission extended the shutdown for at least one additional week until April 7. The announcement was per Governor Charlie Baker’s order to close non-essential businesses.
Massachusetts Casino Shutdown
As a result of the temporary business closings, many people find themselves unemployed across the nation. Based on casino forum reports, new unemployment claims in Massachusetts increased to 148,000 on the week ending on March 21. That was 20 times the number of claimants the previous week.
However, the shutdown extension is terrible news for MGM Springfield employees. Their two-week pay period ends this weekend. MGM told regulators that it would keep a skeleton crew of building maintenance, security staff, and cleaners after its property shuts down.
However, the casino company reduced its skeleton crew even before the two-week period ended. The firm is paying for the benefits of all qualified workers who are part of its health plans until June 30.
MGM pledged a $1 million worker emergency grant fund. Also, it will donate meals to food banks. Wynn Resorts, owner of Encore Boston Harbor, said it would pay all its workers for a month. Encore had around 4,400 going into the coronavirus pandemic.
On the other hand, Penn National Gaming announced it would pay its 400 workers two weeks. The company owns the Plainridge Park.
As casinos shut down, people using online casinos increase. As a result, many players are playing Evolution Gaming Casino Games in time of the COVID-19 outbreak.
