Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio to extend coronavirus closure into April

Thursday 26th March 2020

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio is extending its coronavirus-related temporary closure into April and it will evaluate reopening on a weekly basis, casino officials announced in a news release Thursday, March 26.

Full-time and part-time employees are still being paid and receiving benefits, according to the release.

Doug Welmas, chairman of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, stated in a news release that the resort had originally intended to reopen on April 1 but that reopening time frame "proved unfeasible" because of new developments, including the recent statewide shelter in place order.

"As a result, we'll continue to reevaluate the situation on a week-to-week basis and make sure we're fully prepared to re-open once an appropriate date has been determined," Welmas stated in the release. "The health of our guests and employees is our top concern, and we look forward to having them back at Fantasy Springs soon."

In the meantime, the release says, Fantasy Springs will continue to have a reduced work force for essential operations, including a 24-hour security presence. The release also notes that casino and hotel assets, including cash, have been removed from the property and that non-employee vehicles will be turned away while the casino remains closed.

Fantasy Springs joins other casinos such as San Manuel Casino in Highland and Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, in announcing it would remain closed longer due to COVID-19.

San Manuel has stated that its closure, originally slated for the end of the month, would now run until April 11.

Pechanga Resort Casino announced that it anticipates its closure, originally scheduled to run through the end of March, to run into April, resulting in a temporarily layoff of employees beginning April 1. Those employees will have 100 percent of their health benefits paid through the end of April, according to a news release from March 25.