Based upon the press conference just conducted by Governor Pritzker, the following regions will move to Tier 2 status and will be allowed to resume gaming operations tomorrow morning, starting at 8 AM: Regions 1, 2 and 5
For clients in those regions, expect to hear from your Account Manager and know that we stand prepared to provide technical and other related support as required.
For those in regions not mentioned, we will continue to monitor the metrics and share news as we hear further from the Governor as to when gaming operations can resume in your regions as well.
The Governor also mentioned that as regions are able to move from Tier 2 to Tier 1 mitigation levels, indoor dining will be allowed at a 25% capacity / 25 person limit per room. This is a revision from the prior definition of Tier 1 mitigation and certainly a welcomed change!
We have just now received the note below from the Illinois Gaming Board.
In short, they have advised that the gaming restart for regions meeting the metric requirements to move from Tier 3 to Tier 2 will now be Saturday morning at 8AM vs. tomorrow as previously expected.
At some point tomorrow, the Governor’s office will be announcing the specific regions that will be allowed to reopen Saturday. IGS will be prepared with technical support, call center, dispatch and cash management services to our partner locations in those regions in standard fashion.
We appreciate you waiting alongside of us to learn how this restart was to occur. As a group, let’s all re-commit to stay diligent and compliant with all of the same safety standards and procedures that we have had in place since we re-opened amidst COVID.
For locations who were participating in our Winners Circle promotion, we will resume the promotion once all regions that IGS locations are in move to Tier 2.
We will continue to share as fast as we learn anything further. Please work directly with your Account Manager to access any necessary IGS resources to support you in this restart effort.
We look forward to getting back in the game!
Yesterday a call was conducted with Scientific Games, the Illinois Gaming Board and the Terminal Operator community. We were all anxiously anticipating more details around the proposed opening of gaming in regions that meet or exceed the required metrics this coming Friday. After the call, we are still unclear as to how this will all be unfolded.
The IGB was clear to express that they understand the needs for advanced notice for all involved, but they just have not received sufficient details required to inform us further at this time. What we do know is that the determination for which regions may move from Tier 3 mitigation to Tier 2 or Tier 1 must come from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Governor’s Office. We were also informed that many of the same rules will apply such as:
• No indoor food / beverage service
• Gaming hours of operation will be 8am – 11pm
• Masks will be required at all times
• 1 guest permitted per VGT (no congregating allowed)
During his press conference this afternoon, Governor Pritzker mostly spoke on Illinois’ next phase plans for the COVID-19 vaccination distribution. He did however, make an announcement about plans to lift Tier 3 mitigation efforts.
Illinois’ 11 regions can begin lifting Tier 3 restrictions as early as next week if they’ve met the right metrics. He noted that the state “did not experience the post-Thanksgiving uptick that plagued much of the country” and said state health officials were “watching closely” the period after Christmas and New Year’s. He stated, “I’m cautiously optimistic as there are some early signs indicating that some regions have made real progress and won’t reverse that progress this week or next.”
On January 15, exactly one incubation period from New Year’s Day, any region that has met the metrics for a reduction of mitigations will be able to move out of Tier 3 mitigations. While we have not received any word from the Illinois Gaming Board on when gaming operations can reopen, we will be standing by and keep you informed.
Yesterday Congress unveiled a $900 billion relief bill to provide short-term economic relief to the country in the face of the ongoing pandemic. The House approved the package, and the bill now heads to the Senate, which is on track to pass the legislation tonight.
The plan includes several items that will benefit restaurants, most importantly a second round of access to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), with unique provisions aimed to assist the restaurant industry.
The plan announced today targets restaurant relief with provisions including:
Below you will find a link to download a set of 19 social media graphics for your use to help promote delivery, takeout and curbside pickup along with holiday-themed messaging.
Click the link to download the full set or individual graphics for use on your social media pages.
We hope you are continuing to stay safe and healthy!
IGS has received the following information related to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s Business Interruption Grants (BIG).
For those who have applied, as part of the grand program, all grant recipients must promise to remain in “full compliance” with all applicable COVID-19 rules, laws and mitigation efforts.
Confirmed violations are being solicited by the DCEO and those recipients will be notified that, due to their failure to remain in “full compliance,” they will be required to pay back the amount of their grant.
Again, Illinois BIG recipients who fail to remain in “full compliance” of all laws and rules will be ordered to pay back their grants.
We hope our partner locations continue to remain in compliance as our state works toward decreasing the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately allowing for business to reopen.
Below you will find a link to download a set of 11 social media graphics for your use to help promote delivery, takeout and curbside pickup. Click the link to download the full set or individual graphics for use on your social media pages.
We know this time is particularly challenging for our establishment partners. IGS is here for you as always to help support your business.
