Oneida Indian Nation gaming properties, the first Upstate New York casinos to temporarily close in March, will begin to resume operations for regional residents on June 10, 2020. The planned reopenings will function under new health and safety measures.

WHAT:

Following months of extensive planning and coordination with neighboring municipalities, the Oneida Indian Nation is set to reopen doors for a phased reopening of Turning Stone Resort Casino, Point Place Casino and YBR Casino on June 10 at 8:00 a.m.

Under a comprehensive Health and Safety reopening plan Safer Together, the Oneida Indian Nation has implemented new safety protocols, enhanced cleaning policies, trained staff on additional precautionary protocols, and has introduced certain restrictions during Phase 1 of its reopening process.*

The health and safety plan was developed in consultation with public health experts, neighboring County Officials and incorporates input from discussions with the National Indian Gaming Commission and the New York State Gaming Commission.

WHEN:

  • Wednesday, June 10, 2020
  • Media Arrival: 7:30 a.m.
  • Doors Open: 8:00 a.m.

MEDIA:

All media is required to request advance approval from Kelly Abdo, Director of Public Relations at kabdo@oneida-nation.org.

Approved media should arrive at Turning Stone at 7:30 a.m. and will have access to a specific media area outside of The Tower Hotel and will also have escorted access inside in The Tower lobby.  Access beyond The Tower lobby is not be permitted. 

Media interested in covering reopenings at Point Place Casino and YBR Casino are required to email kabdo@oneida-nation.org.

*Key protocols for Phase 1 reopening include:

  • Limit access to guests who travel from within 120 miles within New York with valid New York State issued driver’s license or non-driver ID.
  • All employees are required to have daily screenings, including temperature checks.  Employees who handle commonly touched items with guests are required to wear gloves, including in all restaurants, at registration desks and on the gaming floors.
  • Guest and employee entry and ID verification protocols that allow for contact tracing, if necessary.
  • Mandatory face coverings for all employees and guests, as a condition of entry, even in administrative areas.
  •  Occupancy limits and distancing in all restaurants, lounges and smoking areas.
  • Enhanced cleaning measures include new technology that alerts guests with an on-screen notification of the exact time the slot machine was last sanitized.  The new Automated Game Sanitization system also notifies the casino cleaning staff when a guest finishes playing on a machine so the slot machine can be cleaned.

To maintain the highest air standards, HVAC air changeover levels will be maintained at significantly greater capacity, and will exceed those required by the standard commercial code.

Additional cleaning measures include increased touchless hand sanitizer dispensers placed at every guest entry point and throughout the properties, including at table games, slot machines, and every registration desk.

For more information about entertainment and hospitality offerings and new health guidelines in Phase 1 of the Oneida Indian Nation’s reopening plan, interested parties are invited to review the Oneida Indian Nation’s full safety plan Safer Together HERE.