It's been four and a half months since Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered casinos in New York State to close their doors due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Native American-owned casinos resumed operations about two months ago. However, for other casinos in New York State, including Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols, are to remain closed as per order of the governor, and there is no timetable for the casinos to reopen.

In a press conference this weekend, Governor Cuomo indicated that he thinks it will be hard for casinos to be compliant with social distancing and other safety concerns surrounding the Covid-19 crisis.

Tioga Downs, along with local government officials, pleaded with Governor Cuomo a week and a half ago, to allow Tioga Downs to reopen. Tioga Downs held a press conference to explain the plans that they have in place to protect visitors at their facility from the Coronavirus.

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Prior to the press conference, Tioga Downs issued a statement saying if they weren't allowed to reopen soon, at least 600 employees will be affected by the shutdown. That would be a huge loss to the area, not to mention the millions of dollars in lost tax revenue in Tioga County and for the state of New York.

In Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono Casino reopened weeks ago with certain safety restrictions in place.

Cuomo basically said casinos are not essential and therefore will remain closed until further notice.

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