New Jersey, New York casinos face late hour dining curfew amid Covid-19 spike

Casinos in New Jersey and New York have been ordered to close indoor dining at 10 p.m. as Covid-19 cases continue to rise.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said restaurants and bars across the state must close indoor dining from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Nov 12. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo followed up with an identical order for his state starting Nov. 13.

Murphy said that gaming operations can continue operating “around the clock.” Murphy assured that New Jersey is not heading for a total lockdown akin to the spring and summer.

Atlantic City casinos reported a 10% loss in slot revenue and 29% decrease in table games for the month of September. New Jersey is expected to release October gaming revenue numbers on Friday.

New York’s four full commercial casinos only began operating in early September at quarter capacity. Gaming revenue at New York casinos fell between 25% to 46% in September.

Murphy and Cuomo, both Democratic Party governors, are attempting to slow down the coronavirus positive rates ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

New Jersey has reported between 2,000 to 3,000 new cases a day this week with a positivity rate in the low double digits.

Across the border, New York City saw its positivity rate rise to 2.5% this week, its highest since early June. New York state reported nearly 5,000 new cases Thursday.

Ezra Amacher

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