Retail casinos and sportsbooks in the US have been particularly affected by the nationwide health precautions, with numerous individuals and businesses feeling the negative consequences.
Similar to most casinos across the nation, West Virginia’s casinos shut down on March 17. Governor Jim Justice of WV declared that the executive order would come into force at midnight, making the announcement that very night.
Despite ongoing discussions about reopening the country, a month has passed and a clear resolution remains elusive. Major sports leagues have yet to resume their activities, while the majority of states maintain their stay-at-home orders.
Although gambling may not hold the utmost significance, the Mountain State is unquestionably experiencing financial losses during this challenging period. It is highly likely that the state budget will be adversely affected by the COVID-19 shutdown.
Revenue from casinos and sportsbooks has experienced a near-total cessation over the past month.
Regrettably, there are currently no online casino betting apps available in WV. Although the state has passed the necessary legislation, casinos have not yet been able to submit mobile applications.
Despite the limited number of sports being played currently, it is worth mentioning that online sportsbooks in WV remain open for betting. Bettors can still find numerous betting options on the apps to keep them engaged during this time.
The exact timeline for the return of normalcy in the US remains uncertain, yet the state’s casinos are fully prepared for that eventual moment.
WV Coronavirus Update
The anticipation for a return to normalcy is shared by all US residents, although it remains uncertain when that will happen. On Thursday, public officials including Gov. Justice conveyed health guidelines and future plans to the public.
Currently, there have been no updates regarding the stay-home order in WV, and it will continue to be in effect until further notice.
Although some residents of West Virginia might perceive this as a negative indication, the state is actually performing significantly better than others.
On Thursday, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York declared his decision to prolong the state’s shelter-in-place directive until at least May 15. New York has emerged as one of the hardest-hit regions in the nation.
WV could be much closer to returning to work, although New Yorkers may still have a while to go.
According to reports, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of over 32,000 individuals in the United States and more than 142,000 worldwide.
Thankfully, West Virginia contributes only a small fraction to the overall tragic number mentioned. Since the beginning of tracking, the state has recorded a total of 739 positive cases and 13 resident deaths.
The US state that reported a confirmed case of coronavirus last was the Mountain State. If the situation doesn’t worsen in the near future, it has the potential to be among the first states to return to normalcy.
During its regular briefing, the coronavirus task force discussed the guidelines known as “Opening up America Again.”
Certain states will reopen before others, as not all states are facing the same level of difficulty. With the peak of new cases behind us, we are now embarking on a journey to rebuild and revitalize our economy in a secure, organized, and highly responsible manner.
With optimism, this indicates that West Virginia is on the verge of reopening businesses, allowing residents to return to work.
WV Casinos Get Ready For Reopening
Casinos, sportsbooks, and numerous establishments hosting Limited Video Lottery games are keen to resume operations.
During this period, all retail casinos in WV have issued an update regarding their current status. You can access information for each of them through their official websites or social media platforms.
They are all collaborating closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish their course of action. Their main priority is to ensure the safest possible reopening of their facilities.
Jay Snowden, the President and CEO of Penn National Gaming, recently issued a statement regarding the measures implemented by Hollywood Casino. Snowden expressed:
Our top priority will always be the health and well-being of our guests and team members. In response to the coronavirus threat, we have been diligent in following strict protocols recommended by the CDC. These measures include intensifying our daily cleaning routines, optimizing air circulation, cancelling or rescheduling live events, and currently working on reducing the number of chairs in our dining areas, table games, and poker rooms. Additionally, we are also decreasing the number of slot machines in operation at any given time to promote social distancing. These are just a few of the initiatives we are implementing to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Starting to accept wagers again is an exciting prospect for all WV casinos, but it will prove to be a challenging endeavor. Each establishment will need to go through the process of rehiring numerous staff members and diligently ensuring that their facilities are thoroughly cleaned and devoid of any harmful substances.
Several of these casinos and sportsbooks have made efforts to assist their employees by maintaining payment and benefits. Nevertheless, casinos could only sustain this support for a limited duration.
After their reopening, numerous residents of WV will secure employment, allowing them to receive a consistent paycheck once more.
WV Online Sportsbooks
Currently, gamblers in WV have limited betting choices, but they can still access three online sports betting apps. These apps are:
Due to the suspension of sports, the current April lacks the usual abundance of betting options, leaving only a limited number of markets available.
Many bettors are eagerly anticipating the upcoming NFL Draft scheduled to occur from April 23-25.
Sportsbooks provide a diverse range of draft bets, encompassing intriguing props. Notably, DraftKings offers a unique betting option for Mr. Irrelevant, the final selection in the draft.
The odds for determining the position of the final selection are listed by DraftKings. The online sportsbook currently displays the subsequent odds:
- Offense -121
- Defense +100
- Kicker/Punter/Long Snapper +1400
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