Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., will be able to reopen its casino on Monday. It had been closed since the middle of March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The reopening comes as businesses are getting back on line in phases in Arkansas. 

"We are glad the governor has provided us a target date for reopening the casino,” Wayne Smith, general manager of Oaklawn, said in a press release. "We are fully prepared to meet or exceed all recommended health and hygiene protocols. While we understand this timing might not be right for some people, just know we will be ready and safe for you when you are.  The health and safety of our guests and team members are of the utmost importance. Of particular interest, on May 2 we concluded a successful race meet, albeit without fans, where we proved that by following strict protocols we could keep our horsemen and staff safe.”

There will be adjusted casino hours, and the facility will operate at 33 percent capacity, according to the release from Oaklawn. There will be required temperature checks, masks must be worn, and social distancing requirements will be in place. 

The casino is a significant contributor to the purse structure at Oaklawn. For more on the Oaklawn meet that wrapped earlier this month, please see the following article from last week, with track president Lou Cella: https://www.drf.com/news/after-record-setting-closing-day-oaklawn-prepares-future