During his afternoon press conference updating the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tate Reeves said he hopes and expects casinos in Mississippi to be operating in some capacity by Memorial Day.

Reeves said he has received a reopening plan from the gaming industry and from the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

“We have been in contact with them both,” Reeves said of the industry and commission. “We have had conversations with both and there are other jurisdictions that have looked at these particular plans.

“We are hopefully close to developing a plan to reopen. I am confident by Memorial Day that some of our facilities will be open,” Reeves said. “It’s not going to be open exactly the way it was when they closed, but they understand that and are OK with that.”

Due to the outbreak of the virus, the Mississippi Gaming Commission ordered casinos in Mississippi closed beginning March 16.

Statewide, more than 21,000 jobs are connected to casinos and their operations.