We thought the worst was behind us when it comes to Covid and that we can go back to pre-pandemic routines. But can we? In recent weeks, there has been a rise in Covid-19 cases all around the world, and US casinos are probably be affected by it sooner rather than later.
According to the New York Times, more than 22,000 new cases were discovered across the country on July 24th. While the situation is far less severe than it was in January, in June there were days only 4,000+ Americans were diagnosed with Covid.
In recent months, land-based casinos removed all pandemic-related restrictions, such as requiring players to wear masks. However, the rise in Covid cases might change that. Will players go back to playing poker online and go through the Everygame login process? Or will brick-and-mortar casinos keep operating as per usual? Let's find out!
Possible Restrictions That Await Land-Based Poker Rooms
Not so long ago, the last traces of the suffocating Covid-19 restrictions were removed from live casinos. Plexiglass dividers, face masks, and social distancing rules were a thing of the past.
But now, some of those restrictions are making a comeback. According to an internal memo sent by MGM Resorts, all employees at the casinos will have to wear a mask. The casino's CEO also urged all unvaccinated employees to change this status as soon as possible, relying on the latest Covid data to emphasize how important it is.
Other gambling venues in Las Vegas might have to do the same to reduce contagion rates and avoid potential repercussions.
In England, even though casinos got permission to reopen on May 17th, not everyone felt it was safe enough to do so. For example, the famous Dusk Till Dawn poker room will remain closed for the time being. The venue's owner tweeted that he was concerned about the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the state, and he felt it was irresponsible to throw caution to the wind at this moment in time.
What is the Future of Online Poker?
The current state of events brings one main concern to mind: will the upcoming poker tournaments take place offline or online?
The WSOP is scheduled to begin on September 30th and is supposed to last till late November. In those two months, 88 events are supposed to take place, which normally attract the attention of thousands of poker players.
But if the situation will keep getting worse, poker players might no longer be allowed to congregate at the top casinos in Vegas. But luckily, the past couple of years have taught casino operators to be more flexible, and it is now easier than ever to convert live events to online tournaments.
So, even though many players prefer to visit live venues, it is not the end of the world! Plans might have to change, but poker pros can rest assured that all events and tournaments won't get canceled – no matter what.
In Conclusion
Even though online poker playing rates have gone back to their pre-pandemic status, players might fund themselves placing bets online sooner rather than later! Will the popularity of online betting keep increasing even though people are less afraid of Covid's ramifications?