Massachusetts casino occupancy well below state-mandated 25% capacity limit

After the state’s three casinos were allowed to reopen in July, occupancy stood well below the mandated 25% capacity limit imposed last month in Massachusetts to control the spread of COVID-19, gaming officials said.

Bruce Band, assistant director of the Gaming Agents Division of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said occupancy was at about 19%, Masslive.com reports.

MGM Springfield's biggest crowd in recent weeks was 22% of its capacity for a new car drawing on Dec. 26.

Plainridge Park in Plainville reached a high of 19% on Dec. 26 and Jan 8. Encore Boston Harbor in Everett hit 19% on New Year's Day and was at 17% the rest of the time, Band said.

"This time of year tends to be a little slower time of year, anyway," Band said.

The 25% capacity limit, which includes employees, will remain in place until at least Jan. 24, the Associated Press reports.

All three casinos closed in March at the start of the pandemic and were allowed to reopen in July with restrictions.

Commissioners also heard Thursday that there have been 147 confirmed COVID-19 cases among casino employees since they reopened, and they all reported contracting the virus at home, said Loretta Lillios, director of the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau.