Seminole Casino Immokalee reopens with new restrictions

It’s back to work today for more than 500 people. Not in schools, but at gaming tables.

The Seminole Casino Immokalee reopened Monday after closing five months ago.

Lyn Moore was at the casino on opening day and feels lucky to be back at the slots., saying, ” [I] used to come every three weeks. I’m happy it opened. I’m so bored at home. And I figured today is the cleanest day because it just opened.”

Now that the casino is once again welcoming gamblers through its doors.

”I think its really nice. I’ve been waiting for it for a long time,” said, Larry Bjornson, who is one of the hundreds at tables for opening day. “From the moment you walk in the door special thermal imaging software is checking your temperature.”

Card tables have plexiglass shields, sanitizing stations dart the floor, and
workers are constantly cleaning. All part of the Safe and Sound Program spokesperson, Gary Bitner says they put together to keep you safe.

”We’ve actually added staff to focus on enforcing wearing a mask,” he said.

More than 500 employees are back compared to the nearly 900 working at the casino previously in March.

“We had one case [of COVID-19] in early March of a gentleman who had been here, he had been other places too and had sadly passed away.”

WINK News previously spoke with his family and they don’t believe there’s any connection to the casino.

And Bitner says you can bet the casino is doing everything for players’ protection, “Business is going to build back gradually.”