As Las Vegas continues its gradual return to life, poker enthusiasts have another reason to be hopeful: MGM Resorts International has announced the reopening of the Excalibur Hotel & Casino, a popular spot for poker players on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. The doors are set to reopen this Thursday, making it the latest MGM property to resume operations.
The Excalibur joins a growing list of MGM properties that have already reopened, including the Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand Las Vegas, and The Signature, all of which resumed business on June 4.
Poker Still on Pause — For Now
Despite the reopenings, poker rooms across MGM’s properties, including the Excalibur, remain closed for the time being. While there is no official word on when poker will return, rising demand and continued reopenings could pave the way for the game’s comeback in the near future.
Bill Hornbuckle, acting CEO and president of MGM Resorts, expressed optimism about the phased reopening strategy:
“We are very pleased by the enthusiasm we are seeing from guests ready to come back to Las Vegas. As business demand increases, we are able to open additional properties and bring more of our employees back to work.”
Enhanced Safety Measures in Place
The Excalibur will reopen under strict health and safety protocols to protect both staff and visitors. These include:
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Temperature checks for all employees
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Mandatory face masks for staff
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Social distancing throughout the casino and hotel
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Plexiglass barriers at high-contact areas
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Handwashing stations placed across the casino floor
These measures reflect MGM’s company-wide commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for guests during the ongoing pandemic.
More MGM Reopenings on the Horizon
Hornbuckle hinted that the Excalibur’s reopening is just another step in a broader plan to bring back more of MGM’s Las Vegas properties:
“We will continue monitoring business trends in the weeks and months ahead and look forward to sharing news around additional property openings here in Las Vegas, and around the country, as it becomes available.”
While live poker may still be waiting in the wings, the steady pace of reopenings suggests that the cards could soon be back on the table for Nevada players.
