Saratoga Harness Racing, Inc., which owns and operates the Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek, Colorado, has announced the termination of a deal to sell the casino to American Gaming Group.
Despite the deal’s cancellation, Wildwood Casino continues expansion of their $14 million hotel and launches advanced, health and safety strategies to prepare for players’ return.
With the coronavirus pandemic shutting down casinos across the U.S., Saratoga Harness Racing, Inc. and American Gaming Group, LLC, the owner of Wildwood Casino, decided to terminate the previously announced acquisition of Wildwood Casino. Both parties deemed the termination necessary because of the current economic impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis.
“At this time, we believe it’s in the best interest of both companies, and our respective casinos, to cancel the deal so we can focus on doing what’s best for our casinos and our players,” said Joe Canfora, the owner of Wildwood Casino. “At Wildwood, we’re taking this time to develop and implement an entire health and safety strategy that goes above and beyond state and local guidelines to better protect our players and provide a comfortable, safe environment for gaming.”
Among the new health and safety practices, Wildwood will have on-demand cleaning crews moving throughout the casino to clean surfaces as needed and as requested by players. The casino will also be reducing its operating hours to allow for extended, deep cleaning every night. Additionally, management is looking into UV light technologies for potential air filtration and other newly discovered, best practices for protecting patrons from the virus.
“This is all about the safety and security of our players and our employees,” Wildwood Casino’s Assistant General Manager Matt Andrighetti said. In mid-April, Wildwood distributed a digital survey to their player database asking for thoughts and feelings regarding the current pandemic and what will be important when returning to the casino. Close to 1400 players participated in the survey.
“We received a lot of great input from our players, and now, we’re using their feedback to create a comprehensive health and safety plan that surpasses the county and state, mandatory precautions,” Andrighetti said. Also, as the newest casino building in Cripple Creek, Wildwood features high ceilings and a single-level gaming floor to offer players a more spacious, less cramped environment, he said.
Along with extensively preparing for the casino’s reopening, Wildwood has multiple other initiatives that are pushing forward despite the coronavirus pandemic. Construction for Wildwood’s 104-room, $14-million hotel has continued throughout the crisis and will continue, Andrighetti said. Wildwood’s sports betting will be launching soon. And, Wildwood is rebranding their in-casino restaurant, Joe’s Diner, to feature a new theme, design and menu to cater to players and provide great seating for Wildwood’s sports betting players.
Wildwood Casino is a top-rated, 24-hour-gaming, Vegas-style casino located in the historic mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. “The Highest Casino in the World” operates over 500 slots, table games and multiple dining options as well as the 67-room Gold King Inn and the Gas N’ Roll gas station and convenience store. Wildwood is in the process of building a new 104-room hotel tower adjacent to the casino. Additional information can be found at www.wildwoodcasino.net.
Saratoga Harness Racing, Inc. (SHRI) and American Gaming Group, LLC (AGG) announced today in that they have mutually agreed to terminate the acquisition agreement previously announced on March 11, 2020, under which the parties had agreed that SHRI would acquire the operating assets of Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek, CO from AGG.
Both parties site that the termination, although disappointing, was necessary based on the current economic impacts resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis. The pandemic has resulted in a need for each company to focus on its respective businesses, and has impacted the companies’ ability to realize the benefits of the transaction during these unprecedented times.
SHRI owns and operates Saratoga Casino Hotel, in Saratoga Springs, NY featuring over 1,200 slots, electronic table games, a live entertainment venue, a variety of dining options and bars, live harness racing, and simulcast wagering. SHRI also owns and operates Saratoga Casino Black Hawk, located in the historic town of Black Hawk, CO featuring over 425 slot machines, 10 table games, a full-service restaurant, bar and a variety of guest services. SHRI is also a partner with Delaware North Companies in the operation of Gideon Putnam Resort and Roosevelt Baths in Saratoga Springs, NY. Additional information about Saratoga Casino Hotel can be found at www.saratogacasino.com.
American Gaming Group, LLC and Saratoga Harness Racing, Inc. Announce Termination of Wildwood Casino Acquisition Due to COVID-19
Despite the deal’s cancellation, Wildwood Casino continues expansion of their $14-million hotel and launches advanced, health and safety strategies to prepare for players’ return.
