Ohkay Casino Open
Several New Mexico tribal casinos begin to reopen their doors for gamblers to start enjoying games. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham had urged them not to reopen the facilities to the public due to the spread of Coronavirus. Some gambling places like Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, Taos Mountain in Taos, and Ohkay Hotel in Ohkay Owingeh have already reopened their doors to the public.
- We, the unique Tribal Employees of Ohkay Owingeh a sovereign, diverse, traditionally and culturally based entity operating within the Pueblo Land Grant, with its own language, are here to serve, provide for, and protect our community, people, environment and surroundings communities through the guidance of the Tribal Council and progressive administrative leadership.
- 340 Highway 68 NM 87566 OHKAY OWINGEH US T:877-747-1668 F:505-747-5695 hoteldesk@ohkaycasino.net. 2020 Ohkay Hotel and Casino.
Ohkay Hotel and Casino on Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo also announced it’s now open but did not provide much more information on its website. Route 66 Casino Hotel on Laguna Pueblo has plans to reopen. Ohkay Owingeh Hotel & Casino The Ohkay Casino is a lovely and lively gaming facility. Around 700 slot machines featuring video poker and progressive jackpots guarantee you a memorable night. Ohkay Hotel and Casino on Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo also announced it’s now open but did not provide much more information on its website. Route 66 Casino Hotel on Laguna Pueblo has plans to reopen soon.
By opening these properties to the public, these places have since then taken COVID 19-related measures into account. The governor had strongly opposed the reopening of all casinos just like other entertainment facilities where the coronavirus can spread quickly.
The state however cannot stop tribunal casinos from reopening as they are under the control of sovereign nations. Nontribal gambling areas like state-licensed casinos remain closed as a directive and public health restrictions by Lujan Grisham. According to Nora Meyers Sackett, the governor’s office spokeswoman, any entity that was being reopened at the time had the risk of exposing their patrons and the community as a whole to the enormous infection and the spread of the virus.
Since COVID 19 struck the whole world, a lot of things were paralyzed on every corner of the continent. Countries have since then experienced lockdown with public places like restaurants being locked. This was in regard to stopping the possibility of the virus spreading. Since restaurants hold most of these places, players who love enjoying gambling at restaurants were affected. It is however good news for these players because some countries have considered reopening some restaurants so that they can enjoy meals while playing games. However, with this happening, there are stringent measures that have been put in place to control the virus from spreading. A detailed New Mexico casino map like casinos.us provides needed information about gambling areas reopening in New Mexico following COVID-19 shutdown.
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Officials at Ohkay Owingeh, Isleta, and Taos refused to comment about the reopening of their facilities. Pojoaque Pueblo’s Buffalo Thunder Resort, Tesuque and some tribal casinos within the state remain closed.
Through public health orders, Lujan Grisham allowed the reopening of other businesses like restaurants, breweries, gyms, and salons. This was to be done under limited capabilities even though the number of COVID 19 cases continue to grow.
Isleta Resort
New Mexicans can now afford smiles on their faces as they can now double down their bets with the re-opening of Isleta Resort. Isleta Resort had been reopened and new safety measures in place so that the spread of COVID 19 can be managed. This is according to the report provided by KOB. Amongst the guidelines featured include the prohibition of smoking on the property. The guests and workers on the facility will be required to put on masks together with plexiglass and also face shields while in close contact areas. This information is from Isleta’s website. Team members will also be tested for the COVID 19 before resuming work and will be a scan for the virus before they access the resort.
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Barriers have been installed on the gaming floor and they are between each slot machine. Each machine will also thoroughly be sanitized after each use. Isleta happens to be the second-largest tribal casino found in the state. It recorded $104.96 million net in 2019.
The sportsbook remains closed as well as the food court which had $40 million set aside for its renovation. This place had opened its doors in 2017.
Laguna Development Corp.
By June the Laguna Development Corp. had started modalities of bringing back its employees with the hope of reopening up properties. According to the report issued by the management, they had worked on all required alterations to the place, the restaurants as well as the hotel at Route 66. This was announced through an email by the corporate director of marketing for Laguna Development Corp.
The hotel, the Xpress west of Albuquerque as well as the Dancing Eagle in Paraje had been closed to the public due to Coronavirus. This came a week after New Mexico tested its first positive case for COVID 19.
Before the employees could be allowed to resume their daily duties, they had to test negative for COVID 19. However, most of these employees had already turned to work virtually, and it was proving successful. Here are 5 ways a virtual team can better your business. They had also to complete mandatory training regarding health and safety procedures. The Laguna is fifth on the list of tribal casinos, Albuquerque Business. It recorded a net of $84.59 million in 2019.
Ohkay Hotel
Ohkay Hotel is located in Ohkay Owingeh and is a Native American Casino that is open around the clock. In fact, this might fascinate you but there is a unique Native American school funded by the gambling empire. The Hotel closed its doors on 19 March 2020 due to the outbreak of coronavirus. It has a 30,000 square foot gaming space occupied by 549 gaming machines. It is a property that holds four restaurants as well as a hotel comprising of 101 rooms.
Despite the state governor insisting that the casinos should remain closed, Ohkay Hotel is on the list of several other casinos that have not adhered to the directives and opened its doors to its employees and the public. It opened its doors on Monday 15 June 2020 to resume rendering their services to the gamblers.
Buffalo Thunder
Pueblo officials expect to reopen the place on 12 August 2020 in Santa Fe. It also expects to record a big number of guests during its soft reopening with grand opening ceremonies and some other events scheduled to take place between September 3 and 6.
Chief Executive Officer, Allen Mosley said that they have worked extensively to bring the resort property to Santa Fe with the aim of creating a Las Vegas-style gaming experience. The grand opening event scheduled for Wednesday, September 3 will feature ribbon cutting and there will a performance by the Flying Elvi skydiving team based in Las Vegas. This performance will symbolize the migration of excitement and fun from Las Vegas to Santa Fe. The grand opening festivities will include promotions, fireworks there will be live entertainment.
Buffalo Thunder Resort will also be hosting the legendary Gladys Knight on Friday, September 5 at 9.00 p.m. The ticket prices for the live concert by Gladys Knight will start at $49. The resort is one of the largest destination resorts in New Mexico comprising 395 luxury guest rooms. It also features upscale accommodations available at the Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa. It also features resort amenities like a modern Las Vegas-style that includes 1,200 brand-new slot machines, 10 table poker room, 22-table games, and 36-hole Towa Golf Course.
Isleta Resort & Casino opened Monday. The casino is operating at 25% capacity. (Courtesy of Isleta Resort & Casino)
Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
Tribal casinos are slowly reopening around New Mexico.
The reopenings are taking place despite the recommendations of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
“Tribal casinos are sovereign, which the state has no control over,” said Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett. “Nontribal casinos remain closed under the current public health order.”
Isleta Resort & Casino opened Monday. Patrons were excited to return.
A patron told the Journal there was a two-hour wait to get inside at 11 p.m. Tuesday and a one-hour wait when she returned at 1 a.m. Wednesday. Guests were told the casino was allowing only 25% capacity inside. But patrons waited patiently in line to play their favorite slot machines and table games.
Calls and emails requesting comment from Isleta were not returned.
According to its website, Isleta has made a number of changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including adding face shields and Plexiglas dividers in close-contact areas, such as between slot machines.
All areas of Isleta Resort & Casino are nonsmoking. Guests must smoke in a designated area outside the casino. All patrons also must wear masks while on the property and may remove them only to eat or drink.
A new Players Club Card system has also been implemented, requiring every guest to be a Players Club cardholder or sign up for one. The patron told the Journal that the system will help with contact tracing.
Cleaning and sanitation of the property have increased greatly. More information about the measures Isleta is taking to protect its guests can be found on its website, isleta.com.
Taos Mountain Casino on Taos Pueblo announced on its website that it is now open. The website says the casino has made changes to protect its patrons and employees, including requiring guests to wear face masks and have their temperature taken at the door.
Ohkay Hotel and Casino on Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo also announced it’s now open but did not provide much more information on its website.
Ohkay Casino Opening
Route 66 Casino Hotel on Laguna Pueblo has plans to reopen soon. An official announcement is expected on Monday, June 22.
“From an operational standpoint, we feel like our casino, restaurants, hotel, everything is ready to go,” said Skip Sayre, chief of sales and marketing for Laguna Development Corp., owned by Laguna Pueblo. “We’re still working on making sure that we are appropriately staffed and that all of our staff are COVID-19-tested and are appropriately trained on all of the new health and safety protocols that we put in place.”
Many other casinos are closed and do not have a reopening date yet, including Sandia Resort & Casino, Santa Ana Casino Hotel, Tesuque Casino, Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, Sky City Casino Hotel and Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino. Casinos on the Navajo Nation, which has been hit severely by COVID-19, also remain closed.
Nontribal casinos, such as The Downs Racetrack & Casino in Albuquerque and Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino in Sunland Park, must remain closed until Lujan Grisham gives the green light for them to reopen.
Lujan Grisham, through her public health orders, has allowed other businesses, including breweries, restaurants, salons and gyms, to reopen in limited capacities.
Ohkay Casino Job Openings
The reopening of casinos around the state poses concern for the Governor’s Office.
“All tribal casinos are strongly, unequivocally encouraged to remain closed at this time, just like other entertainment facilities, due to the risk of COVID-19 spread​,” Sackett said. “The administration is in regular contact with tribal leadership and has conveyed its concern about opening casinos at this time.​ Any entity opening a casino right now is exposing patrons and the community in which it is situated to enormous risk of infection and spread.”