Rivers Casino Philadelphia forced to close until next year

Rivers Casino Philadelphia will close on Friday until at least January 1, 2021 as a result of a series of changes to the current restrictions by the City of Philadelphia to slow the surge of coronavirus cases.

In a press release that detailed the new “Safer at Home” restrictions, casinos fall under the category of “business and activities that are not allowed.” Currently, Rivers Casino Philadelphia is the only casino in the Philadelphia city limits. Live! Casino Philadelphia is scheduled to open in early 2021. The South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbook, according to the orders, would also have to temporarily close. NFL fans may no longer attend games at Lincoln Financial Field, as outdoor gatherings cannot exceed 2,000 people in any outdoor space. 

During a Monday press conference, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney pointed out that the average number of reported COVID-19 positive cases has jumped at least 700% in less than two months, Play Pennsylvania reports. The average number of new cases reported per-day last week was higher than the number of reported cases during the worst week in April. The City of Philadelphia reported 2,564 new coronavirus cases and eight new deaths on Monday.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia voluntarily closed in March when the coronavirus pandemic hit Pennsylvania. They remained shuttered for four months and reopened on July 17, marking the longest coronavirus-caused closure of any brick-and-mortar casino in Pennsylvania.