RIVERSIDE, Mo. — It’s no dice for the casino industry.
Unwilling to gamble with the health of customers, the governors of both Missouri and Kansas announced Tuesday that casinos will now close in both states until at least March 30.
A man named Del, who didn’t wish to be identified any further, said he goes to Argosy Casino in Riverside about once a week as entertainment.
“I’m probably going to have to start walking because I noticed in the mirror I was getting a little fat and I’m getting a little soft,” he said.
Del said he’s a retired construction worker and a diabetic.
He said he wasn’t afraid of catching coronavirus and spoke with the 41 Action News Investigators after losing $200 playing the slot machines.
“I used to blow that running around drinking, raising hell, smoking dope and chasing women,” Del said.
“Whatever is going to happen is going to happen and the only thing you can do is keep your hands sanitized,” he added.
Dee, a 56-year-old woman who also didn’t want to be identified any further, spoke with the 41 Action News Investigators after leaving Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kansas.
When asked about Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s decision to shut down all the state’s casinos after the close of business Tuesday, Dee said, “I think it needs to be done so we’re all safe from the virus."
Despite her concerns, Dee said she played the slot machines at the casino Tuesday anyway.
“Just passing by and wanted to know if it was crowded or if everybody was out," she said. "I’m sure there has been somebody in there that’s tested positive, so it’s just a risk you’ve got to take or shouldn’t take, but do."
The 41 Action News Investigators asked about that possibility.
Hollywood Casino spokesman Jeff Morris issued a reply email, which states, “We are not aware of any confirmed cases among our team members."
Another statement from Hollywood and Argosy’s parent company, Penn National Gaming, said despite the shutdown, those employees will be paid through the end of March.
“I honestly think that we need to go ahead, everybody just self-quarantine for 14 days. Let’s knock this little bug out,” Dee said.
“It’s a national emergency and I think Mr. Trump is trying to do the best he can. Americans are soft. They’ve been catered to all their damn lives, so they don’t know what hard times are,” Del said.
