Louisiana Downs, Oaklawn Park casinos to reopen Monday

The casinos at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., and Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., are both scheduled to reopen on Monday, the tracks announced. The facilities had been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The reopening comes as businesses receive government approvals to resume operations in phases.

The casinos at Delta Downs in Vinton, La., and Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La., have not yet announced reopening dates, but officials hope to share plans in the near future, according to a spokesman for parent company Boyd Gaming.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

The casinos open Monday with a number of new protocols, including reduced capacity levels at the facilities, strict social distancing, employee wellness checks, and varied policies on wearing masks.

The operations are significant contributors to the purse structure at the tracks.

Oaklawn ended its meet May 2 while Louisiana Downs opens its season June 6. Louisiana Downs will race spectator-free, according to a press release. Entries for the first day of the meet are May 30.

Arapahoe decision nears

Arapahoe Park is closed to the public under a statewide health order that expires May 26, and from that point a decision on whether the track will be able to conduct racing this year will be made by appropriate government officials, according to a spokeswoman for relative state agencies in Colorado.

If racing is approved, it would be conducted without spectators.

Arapahoe is proposing a meet stretching from June 6 to Sept. 6. Before the coronavirus pandemic, it had been scheduled to open in late May.