MAVERICK GAMING’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Commitment To Health & Safety Of Team Members, Customers And Communities In Which We Operate
A note from Maverick CEO and co-founder, Eric Persson – “The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of the communities in which we operate. That’s why we have worked to implement health and safety requirements to protect our customers, our thousands of team members and our communities here in Washington State. During the required shutdown of our neighborhood card rooms, we were in regular communication with our team to keep workers informed while also continuing to pay the employer portion of health care benefits. As we begin easing out of the shutdown, we have implemented Health & Sanitation Guidelines founded in public health science. Our Guidelines meet the requirements for Washington State’s restaurants and bars, and integrate all gaming industry best practices to get back to work with a safe, fun entertainment option in the communities where we operate.”
“Upon arrival at their neighborhood location, customers will enjoy a safe, fun gaming environment that is relaxed in every way except for the rigorous implementation of Maverick Gaming Health & Sanitation Guidelines
A Fun, Safe Entertainment Option
Maverick Gaming’s card rooms offer a neighborhood restaurant, bar and gaming entertainment option that is modest compared to larger, integrated casino resorts on Tribal lands. Maverick Gaming’s 19 properties across Washington State allow for individuals and small groups to have a bite to eat and a place to play casino table games while avoiding crowds at the larger casinos. Upon arrival at their neighborhood location, customers will enjoy a safe, fun gaming environment that is relaxed in every way except for the rigorous implementation of Maverick Gaming Health & Sanitation Guidelines developed in collaborative consultation with state regulators and the Governor’s Office.
Maverick Gaming takes customer and employee health and safety very seriously and we’ve worked hard to make sure people can have a good time in a safe way. Maverick Gaming’s message to its customers: “When You Are Ready, Come And Play It Safe With Us!”
Our Health & Safety Guidelines Include:
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Temperature checks before entry
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Social distancing signage along with floor stickers to remind our customers
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Masks worn by all team members (and face shields as needed). Guests will also be required to wear masks.
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Gloves worn by team members as needed. Regular cleanings of the entire facility (e.g. bathrooms, tables, kitchen, shared tools, high-touch surfaces and gaming chips)
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Abundant hand sanitizer stations and frequent hand-washing
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PPE available for purchase
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More frequent air filter replacement and HVAC system cleaning
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Health and Safety signage prominently displayed throughout the properties
MAVERICK GAMING DURING THE COVID-19 SHUTDOWN
As Maverick Gaming learned of public health and safety concerns during the emergent COVID-19 pandemic, new and strict health and safety policies were implemented at all of our properties. As the crisis grew, Maverick Gaming shut down all properties in accordance with public health requirements. The resulting impact to revenue, paired with the exclusion of non-Tribal gaming facilities from federal relief programs, required a temporary and significant reduction in payroll via furloughs of team members.
Despite the critical strain on resources, Maverick Gaming made the decision to pay its portion of health benefits for all its team members while facilitating unemployment applications.
During the shutdown, Maverick Gaming developed Health & Sanitation Guidelines to protect the safety of its team members and guests once operations resumed. Management also engaged in regular collaborative communication with Washington lawmakers, the Governor’s Office and regulators to help inform the development of effective public health practices tailored to address the unique circumstances of a gaming environment to ensure customer and team member safety is thoroughly considered.
As Washington State begins to allow for the resumption of business operations under Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Washington plan, Maverick Gaming is fully committed to continue serving as a partner in protecting public health and safety as we all work to overcome the devastating challenges of COVID-19 together.
WHO ARE WE AND WHY DO WE CARE?
Maverick Gaming is proud to represent 2,000 people across the state who recently ratified a contract with Teamsters Local 117 that gives them a prevailing wage, health benefits and a pension. Our teammates and their families live and work in communities across Washington.
Maverick Gaming’s CEO, Eric Persson, was born and raised in Hoquiam. Knowing from a young age that he wanted to be in the “casino business,” he was the first member of his family to go to college in Nevada, where he graduated with five undergraduate degrees and had the opportunity to intern for former U.S. Senator Richard H. Bryan (D-NV) and in the Crimes Against Women and Children Unit of the District Attorney’s office. After earning a law degree from Georgetown, Eric began a successful career in gaming, hospitality and entertainment industry. He has honed his skills and experience around the world and bringing Maverick Gaming to his home state is the culmination of a dream come true. The company is also named for his son, Maverick.
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