Now, at Nevada casinos, guests playing table games without a Plexiglas barrier are required to wear a face mask. In addition, spectators watching a guest play must also don a mask.
This amendment is part of the updated health and safety requirements imposed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGBC) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, guests playing table games with an added layer of protection installed are not required to wear a face mask.
Casinos in Nevada, when they reopened on June 4, were not obligated to enforce a face covering rule for guests. Consequently, guests and visitors were still able to wander around the casino floors without a mask.
However, they would need to take protective measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 if they decided to gamble in the casino.
Why the change?
This alteration occurs as Nevada witnesses a surge in coronavirus cases.
In phase two of Nevada’s reopening, casinos have been permitted to restart operations by Gov. Steve Sisolak. This phase is ongoing across the state and casinos have had to make adjustments.
On Wednesday, Sandra Morgan from the NGCB spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and said:
During the first week after the reopening of casinos on June 4, our intention was to communicate and encourage compliance by discussing our expectations with licensees. However, by the second week, it was evident from our agents’ observations that the patrons’ use of masks had significantly dropped.
A divide on mask-wearing, influenced by factors such as age and politics, seems to exist across the US.
Research from the Brookings Institution indicates that the risk of fatal outcomes from coronavirus increases with age. Often, younger individuals opt not to wear masks, as they are less worried about being infected with COVID-19.
Most people have by now viewed the video from the Cosmopolitan which revealed no guests wearing masks on its opening weekend. Based on this video and direct observations, the NGCB has opted to revise safety measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The new measures implemented by NGCB are designed to safeguard Nevada casino guests and dealers.
Not only does wearing a face covering protect the wearer, but it also safeguards anyone in close proximity. Theoretically, the spread of the virus can be curtailed using Plexiglas dividers or face masks.
New health and safety requirements
The health and safety requirements of the gaming control board are an intermediate step between enforcing mandatory face coverings for all casino guests and the previously established rules.
The updated requirements are as specified below:
- The establishment must supply face masks or cloth coverings to customers and visitors when asked. As soon as they enter the gaming facility, licensees should provide everyone with face masks or display signs around the premises informing customers that face coverings can be provided.
- Patrons are required by licensees to wear face masks at table and card games unless there is a barrier, partition, or shield separating the dealer and each player. This rule is applicable to players, spectators, and anyone within a 6-foot radius of any table or card game.
The updated regulations mandate that casinos provide masks to every guest upon their entry into the property. In addition, casinos are required to supply a face mask to any guest who asks for one.
Gov. Sisolak is already contemplating implementing more severe face-covering policies.
No mask necessary
Not all visitors to a Nevada casino are inclined to wear a mask.
Several Las Vegas casinos have installed protective Plexiglas barriers, allowing players to gamble without the need for a face covering.
- Bellagio
- Cosmopolitan
- El Cortez
- Excalibur
- MGM Grand
- New York-New York
- Wynn and Encore
Nonetheless, face masks are required when gambling at other Las Vegas casinos.
The Bellagio poker room is also resuming operations and does not demand players to wear a face mask. The same rules apply to regular table game players.
The Caesars Palace poker room is operational, but mandates all participants to wear a mask. Furthermore, Caesars Palace is currently offering complimentary play for slot machine users who don a mask.
Lucky guests at @Caesars_Rewards who are wearing masks are being surprised with a $20 #FreePlay gift! 🎉 #LikeACaesar @CaesarsEnt pic.twitter.com/UXNWs5HqAp
From Caesars Palace’s Twitter account, dated June 20, 2020.
