The Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino shifted most of its 700 or so employees to unpaid furlough last weekend as the governor's stay-at-home order enters its fourth week. Boyd Gaming announced most employees of the Par-A-Dice and its other properties were furloughed on Saturday. A handful of employees were kept on board to maintain the property.
The company will continue paying health insurance premiums through June 30, or when employees can return to work, whichever comes sooner.
CEO Keith Smith said the unpaid furloughs were a "last resort" needed to keep the company afloat.
Expansion and remodeling plans for the Par-A-Dice are also on hold indefinitely. Revamps of the casino's steakhouse, deli, and more than 200 hotel rooms were planned for this year. Sports betting was also set to roll out at the East Peoria riverboat casino this year, pending state regulatory approval.
