Casino Open May 18
Opens with Enhanced Cleaning Protocols and Upgraded Technology after COVID-19 Closure
Jamul, CA, May 15, 2020 – After a two-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jamul Casino will have a soft re-opening at 10AM on May 18, 2020 for its Amber and above Sweetwater Rewards® Club VIP guests, and a public re-opening planned on May 21, 2020. In response to the pandemic, Jamul Casino closed on March 20, 2020 to protect the health and safety of its guests, team members, and tribal members. Throughout its closure, the casino has been in touch with guests via its Facebook page, posting messages on its website, and has been working hard on its re-opening plan. Jamul Casino will begin its phased re-opening next Monday with a robust health and safety plan including physical distance enhancements, increased cleaning protocols, and improved cashless gaming technology. The Casino will also operate under limited hours from 10AM to 2AM daily until it expands to 24-hour operations beginning at 10AM on May 21.
Caesars Entertainment Corp. Said tribal casinos it manages in Arizona and North Carolina are opening on May 15 and May 18, respectively. Arkansas, another small market, is expected to open on May 18.
President and General Manager of Jamul Casino, Mary Cheeks, states, “This has been an unprecedented season of uncertainty, and we understand it may take time for some guests to be ready to come back. I can assure you that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that Jamul Casino is a safe and fun environment when guests return.”
- According to a press release, Oaklawn plans to reopen its casino on Monday, May 18 at 9 a.m., in directive with the guidelines placed by the Arkansas Department of Health. Oaklawn General Manager.
- LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas is allowing its three casinos to reopen May 18 but with new capacity limits and rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday.The Republican governor said the casinos will be limited to one-third their capacity.
Jamul Casino recently surveyed its entire database of guests, and 94 percent of respondents indicated that they would be comfortable coming back to the casino when it re-opens. For patrons who are not yet ready to return, the casino is offering “Jamul at Home” prepackaged meal kits. Each kit includes fresh, high-quality ingredients from Jamul Casino’s restaurants—everything needed to prepare a meal for two to four people—plus a simple recipe to put it all together. Each kit can be scheduled for pickup from the valet.
Jamul Casino’s re-opening plans follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State of California, the County of San Diego, the Tribe’s COVID-19 Task Force, the National Indian Gaming Commission, and were reviewed by the Southern Indian Health Council (SIHC). A few key re-opening plans include:
- Thoroughly cleaned and disinfected surfaces, machines, chips, dining and bar areas, kitchens and food prep areas, new air filters and HVAC cleaning.
- Continuous cleaning and sanitizing of dining venues and guest touch points throughout the day. A special “Clean Team” has been established to be laser-focused on all high-touch guest and team member areas that will be continuously cleaned.
- Temperature screening using both thermal temperature-detecting cameras and non-contact infrared thermometers before team members and guests can enter the casino. Anyone with a temperature of 100o or higher or other symptoms (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) will not be allowed in the casino.
- Required face coverings for all team members and guests.
- Most Casino employees will wear gloves, and the Casino will provide gloves to guests upon request. Dealers who cannot wear gloves due to card and chip handling will be required to constantly sanitize and wash hands. Dealers will frequently change cards as well.
- At least one hundred fifty (150) hand-sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the casino.
- Required physical distancing, including reduced seating, shutting off certain gaming machines, and controlled entry and exit to facilitate distancing and occupancy.
- Social distance signage placed throughout the casino and dining venues.
- All Cage Cashiers and quick serve dining counters will have Plexiglas dividers.
- A phased re-opening of dining venues, enforcing physical distancing for restaurants.
During this first phase of re-opening, Jamul Casino will not be offering shuttle or valet services, live band entertainment, buffets, or promotions. For details on the full reopening plan, visit the Casino’s website at https://www.jamulcasinosd.com/reopening/.
During the unexpected closure, Jamul Casino also upgraded its gaming system and improved the benefits offered to Sweetwater Rewards members. Upon re-opening, members can get their new Sweetwater Rewards card that will sync with the system. With more benefits activated through the Sweetwater Rewards card, there is less need to handle paper and money—a cleaner “touchless” experience. New benefits include:
- Points can be downloaded for play at any slot machine.
- Dining offers can be redeemed simply by swiping the card at the dining venue.
- In-game television screens.
- Ability to check tier status and change PIN numbers at the slot machines.
- Slot machine winnings can be saved on the member’s Sweetwater Rewards account and used at any other machine or cashed out. Again, less paper, fewer touches.
- Members can load cash into their Sweetwater Rewards card account, then use it to play slots and table games without having to carry around paper money.
Additional features in the coming months include:
- Drawing check-in at the slot machines.
- Enhanced promotions.
- Streamlined jackpot processing.
- Beverage ordering on the slot machines.
Jamul Indian Village Chairwoman, Erica M. Pinto, states, “We are excited to be re-opening Jamul Casino and celebrating this key moment in returning the livelihoods of our team members, tribal members, and the hundreds of businesses that help keep our wheels turning. Our guests, team members, vendors, and regulators have all spoken, and we’re ready to get back to business. We thank everyone for their resilience. Welcome back!”
About Jamul Indian Village of California
Jamul Indian Village of California is one of 13 federally recognized tribes that are part of the Kumeyaay Nation, with roots in east San Diego County going back 12,000 years. The Tribe uses revenue and resources from Jamul Casino to fund educational opportunities, healthcare, and housing initiatives for its members, and projects that benefit the surrounding community, through a tribal-state gaming compact with the State of California signed in 2015. For more information about Jamul Indian Village of California, please visit jamulindianvillage.com.
About Jamul Casino
18 And Up Casinos
Casino Open May 18
Opened in 2016, the recently rebranded Jamul Casino, located in Jamul, California, is owned and operated by Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (JIVDC), a wholly owned entity of Jamul Indian Village of California. The $430 million casino features over 1,600 slot machines, 39 live table games, and a dedicated poker room with weekly tournaments; free shuttle service from various locations in San Diego; live entertainment; and seven restaurants, bars and lounges. Jamul Casino supports more than 1,000 permanent jobs in the region. For more information about Jamul Casino, please visit www.jamulcasinosd.com.
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Media contact: Beth Binger
BCIpr
619-987-6658
beth.binger@bcipr.com