Cleveland Casinos Urged to Close on Good Friday

Local resident calls for casinos to show respect for Christian holiday

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:23pm

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In a letter to the editor, a Concord, Ohio resident named John Niedzialek is urging Cleveland's casino operators to voluntarily close their facilities on Good Friday out of respect for the Christian holiday. Niedzialek argues that while no one is saying the casinos should be forced to close, the owners should take it upon themselves to do so, just as other businesses close on religious holidays like Easter and Christmas.

Why it matters

The letter highlights an ongoing debate around the balance between religious observance and commercial interests, particularly in a city like Cleveland that Niedzialek says has deep roots in churches and religious freedom. The writer argues that Christians are increasingly the "last to be heard" when they feel offended, raising questions about the role of faith in public life.

The details

In his letter, Niedzialek references the biblical verse from John 19:24 about Jesus' garments being divided by lot as he was crucified on Good Friday. The writer says this verse has been taught to Christians for generations, underscoring the holiday's significance. Niedzialek has written to casino managers in previous years urging them to close on Good Friday, but the casinos have continued to remain open.

  • Good Friday is observed on April 18, 2026.

The players

John Niedzialek

A resident of Concord, Ohio who has written letters to Cleveland casino operators for several years urging them to close on Good Friday.

Cleveland Casinos

The casino operators in Cleveland, Ohio that have continued to keep their facilities open on Good Friday despite calls from Niedzialek and others to close out of respect for the Christian holiday.

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What they’re saying

“I want to emphasize that nobody is saying that the Cleveland casinos should be forced to close on Good Friday. What I am saying is that the owners should take it upon themselves to close, just like some other businesses close on Easter, Christmas, or other religious days out of respect for their employees and the public.”

— John Niedzialek, Concord Resident

The takeaway

This letter highlights the ongoing tension between commercial interests and religious observance, raising questions about the role of faith in public life and whether businesses should voluntarily close on major religious holidays out of respect for their employees and the broader community.