Massachusetts casino MGM Springfield is set to reinstate its mask mandate in the new year amid the uptick in COVID-19 cases across the state. From January 3 onwards, it will be required for guests to wear masks within the venue, regardless of vaccination status, in compliance with an announcement by the city of Springfield last Wednesday.
“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our guests, employees and our community,” said Beth Ward, spokesperson for MGM Springfield. “We continually evaluate and update our policies based on the latest information and guidance from city, state and federal health officials.”
As part of newly-introduced measures, people entering city-owned properties will be required to wear masks. Moreover, all city businesses will be required to have employees wearing masks, also starting Monday.
According to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, the order will be in place for 60 days. The mayor, along with Health and Human Services commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, will reassess how it is working on March 1, reports MassLive.
MGM Springfield was also featured in local news as of recent due to a $20,000 dispute with a VIP gambler. The guest claims nearly $21,000 of his money vanished during a recent stay at the casino resort, although officials at the venue claim the customer had already checked out of his room when he reported the incident.
Richard Angelica, a high-rolling New Jersey gambler, argues he left $30,000 in his room safe when he left the hotel for a few hours in order to attend a New England Patriots football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, reports Fox Business. However, he says that, upon returning, he found the hotel room key would no longer open the door to his room.
“Nothing like this has ever happened before,” Angelica, a semi-professional poker and blackjack player, said. He further claimed the arrangements for the football game were made by a hotel representative in charge of dealing with VIP customers.
MGM Springfield claims the gambler had checked out, but Angelica says this is incorrect. He said he spoke to various employees and officials at the hotel casino, but no one would explain why he was checked out, or who was behind the order.
The casino has so far declined to discuss the incident with MassLive, although it has confirmed the Gaming Enforcement Unit of the Massachusetts State Police was looking into the claim. “We’re working directly with law enforcement in the investigation of this claim,” MGM spokesperson Beth Ward said.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2022/01/03/60790-mgm-springfield-to-reinstate-mask-mandate-casino-involved-in–20k-dispute-with-vip-gambler
