Coronavirus

Miccosukee casino is reopening Sunday. Miami-Dade, Broward still want casinos closed

The Miccosukkee Tribe announced Saturday that its casino, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, will be reopening at 9 a.m. on Sunday. The Seminole Tribe said it did not yet have a date of reopening for their casino. 
The Miccosukkee Tribe announced Saturday that its casino, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, will be reopening at 9 a.m. on Sunday. The Seminole Tribe said it did not yet have a date of reopening for their casino. 

The Miccosukee Tribe announced Saturday night it would be reopening its casino after being closed for over a month because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, 500 SW 177th Ave., will be reopening its doors at 9 a.m. Sunday morning. After Sunday, the casino will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The resort temporary closed in mid-March after Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he reached out to the casino about closing its doors. The Miccosukee tribe is a sovereign nation and is based on a federally designated reservation deep in the Everglades in West Miami-Dade.

Those wishing to enter the casino must be over 21, wear a mask at all times and have their temperature taken before entering. Only 500 people will be allowed in the resort, and there will be only one entrance and exit. Smoking will also not be allowed except for in designated areas.

Guests must also wipe down each machine after each use. Disinfecting wipe dispensers have been installed throughout the resort.

While some areas of the resort will reopen, these facilities will remained closed: hotel, valet services, bingo poker, Empeeke Aaweeke International Buffet, Bravo Bravissimo, Café Hammock, Cypress Lounge, Martini Bar, Pa-Hay Okee Salon & Spa, Club Egret and the teen arcade.

Miccosukee said all employees returning to work have tested negative for COVID-19 and are being trained on how to prevent it.

The Seminole Tribe told the Miami Herald there are no confirmed dates yet for the reopening of their casinos. Miami-Dade and Broward counties have excluded casinos and hotels from being allowed to reopen on Monday.

This story was originally published May 16, 2020 at 9:19 PM.

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Devoun Cetoute
Miami Herald
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
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