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If you call the number for Rising Star Casino or visit its website, you’ll still be met with disappointment, but that all could change soon enough.

After “laying off” more than 400 employees at the start of the COVID- 19 pandemic, the casino has started to bring back workers to gear up for a mid-June reopening.

After restrictions were lifted, per Gov. Eric Holcomb’s guidelines, the resort reopened The Links golf course to patrons. Folks looking to gamble will soon be welcomed back too.

The casino has taken advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, to start bringing back its work force.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act allows banks to lend directly to businesses through the PPP. The loans, backed by the federal government and Small Business Administration, allow businesses to pay employees during the pandemic.

The loans can be forgiven if the casino uses the greater portion to put employees on the payroll within the first eight weeks of receiving the money.

According to casino.org, General Manager Ben Douglass said he expected about 100 full-time employees by the end of May and a full work force by the anticipated opening day on Sunday, June 14.

The opening is dependent upon IGC approval, and it is anticipated positions will be available for former employees to apply.

There has been some confusion, however, to what “former employees” entails. Comments from workers that were let go can be seen under the article at casino.org and they aren’t pretty.

The bulk of the commentary shows outraged employees who were terminated and had a tough time getting their unemployment benefits. Some are refusing to go back.

Until the casino reopens, Douglass said his staff will be cleaning, repairing, and renovating the property.

They also will prepare the casino for safety measures that must be taken to control spread of the virus.

Along with reducing public capacity to 50 percent, casino officials must enforce social distancing in the slot machine areas and eliminate some seats at table games. Eateries must be re-arranged to meet state guidelines to protect guests from COVID-19.