Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has temporarily furloughed employees at venues closed by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
In addition, all remaining salaried CDI employees will have their salaries reduced by an amount depending on their current salary, with the most senior executives having the largest salary reductions by percentage.
With all US commercial casinos now closed, the operator said facilities that will see staff furloughed include the Derby City Gaming facility in Louisville, Calder Casino in Miami Gardens, Fair Grounds Slots in New Orleans.
The Harlow’s Casino and Riverwalk Casino in Mississippi, Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin and Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Pennsylvania, Ocean Downs Casino in Maryland, Oxford Casino in Maine and Arlington International Racecourse in Illinois are also affected.
CDI will continue to provide health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits to furloughed employees.
“This is not a decision any company ever wishes to make and it is particularly tough when those affected are deeply respected team members who have helped us build great facilities and strong businesses of which we are all very proud,” CDI chief executive Bill Carstanjen said.
“We look forward to welcoming our team members and customers back when we are able to reopen our properties and return to normal operations.”
Last week, CDI announced that its flagship event, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, has been postponed from the first weekend of May to 1 September, 2020.