The Ho-Chunk Nation owns and operates the Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

For immediate release

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Ho-Chunk Nation announces soft reopening of Madison casino

Black River Falls, WI – On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, Ho-Chunk Nation President Marlon White Eagle announced the first reopening of one of the Ho-Chunk Nation enterprises.

Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison was selected to reopen on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, utilizing an effectual safety and sanitation plan.  The staff at Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison has implemented and will enforce the utmost health and safety of its guests and employees.

A health and safety inspection of Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2020.  Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison will begin the recall of required staff to begin introducing gaming play of 400 of 1,300 slot machines.

Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison management elected to voluntarily close their facility on March 17 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With Dane County’s Public Health announcement of Forward Dane yesterday, Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison is following the advisement for a cautious reopen.  The casino will reopen with a phased-in process and initially not including the general public.

Preliminary operations will be with limited hours and to existing Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison Player’s Club Wisconsin members only.

“As surrounding states still have ‘Stay at Home’ orders in place, we want to respect that and use effective integration of public health measures,” said President WhiteEagle. “We will work within each local municipality to help protect the safety of our local community.”

Food and beverage operations at the casino will remain closed during the first phase, WhiteEagle said.

President WhiteEagle issued an Administrative Order on April 16, 2020, requiring everyone within a Ho-Chunk Nation property to wear face-covering over their noses and mouths and when unable to maintain physical distancing of at least six feet.

When reopening, all who enter Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison must have their temperatures taken. Other safety measures to be taken are: plexiglass installed at areas where transactions occur, hand sanitizer throughout the facility, signage on prevention policies, and required frequent handwashing of the staff.

To disinfect and sanitize, Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison has acquired the services of a company to perform two-step disinfection and long-lasting surface antimicrobial treatment applied with an electrostatic sprayer throughout the facility. The application lasts for 30 days before needing reapplication.

 “We are doing everything possible within our control for a responsible opening of our casino,” said Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison Executive Manager Daniel Brown.

“We look forward to welcoming our loyal guests back to a safe, recreational environment here at Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison,” Brown said. “We are looking forward to a successful reopen and will continue to monitor when it is safe to reopen the next phase of our plan.”

Reopening dates have not been established for other Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin facilities. The Ho-Chunk Nation will determine best practices and strategies as to when it will be feasible.

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