Capacity Limits In Nevada Casinos Could Rise If Employees Are Vaccinated

Written By Marc Meltzer on April 5, 2021

Late Friday evening, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) issued an uncommon joint notice to casino operators. They urged operators to get their employees vaccinated against COVID-19, suggesting it could help increase the capacity in gaming areas beyond the current 50%.

The statement issued by J. Brin Gibson from the NGCB and John T. Moran, Jr. from the NGC says:

The Board and Commission both encourage licensees to be proactive in organizing vaccination opportunities for their employees. They also stress the importance of effective communication so that any employee who wants to avail themselves of these opportunities can do so.

Moreover, the statement instructs, “If you want to increase the occupancy of your gaming floor, be ready to present your company’s vaccination efforts to the Board.”

The notice provides various options to assist casino operators with employee vaccinations.

  • Staff are given paid leave for vaccination appointments.
  • Organizing transportation for employees to public immunization locations
  • Forming partnerships with pharmacy associates
  • Sponsoring private vendors to manage onsite vaccine administration using a POD distribution system.

The notice also alerts casino operators that smaller private firms might lack the capacity to handle their vaccination requirements.

Over the last year, Nevada’s Governor Steve Sisolak has overseen capacity restrictions to aid in curbing the spread of COVID-19. However, from May 1, this responsibility will shift to local municipalities across the state, who will manage their own restrictions.

The NGCB will guide the casino capacity restrictions and other mitigation efforts.

Casinos started preparing for vaccinations prior to the release

The public was not informed of this release until Friday evening. However, it is likely that casino operators had prior knowledge of the plans from gaming regulators. Throughout the week, Las Vegas casino operators made announcements that they would be opening COVID-19 vaccination sites for their employees and families.

  • MGM Resorts
  • Caesars Entertainment
  • The Cosmopolitan
  • Wynn Resorts
  • Station Casinos

The importance of frontline casino employees to the return of visitors to Las Vegas is crucial. Their significance is also highlighted in the notice.

Many hospitality workers, particularly those working front-of-house who interact with visitors worldwide, play a critical role in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within both the industry and the wider community.

Starting today, anyone in Nevada who is 16 years old and above is qualified to get a vaccine. Expect more casino managers to simplify the vaccine procedure for their employees.

Minor casino operators may not publicly announce their plans company-wide. For instance, Circa Resorts informed the Las Vegas Sun that they “will be adhering to all advice given,” without any grand announcement.

Already pushing the casino limits

For about a month, Las Vegas has been striving to increase its capacity restrictions. The city has seen an influx of visitors due to factors such as warmer weather, the first weekend of March Madness, spring break, and Easter.

Visitors persist in their travels to Las Vegas. A 10-mile line of cars was observed leaving the city following the Easter weekend. The most significant alteration for Las Vegas is the resurgence of people choosing to fly into the city.

Tourists who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are more at ease with flying compared to the previous year. This has resulted in increased activity at the airport, consequently driving up rental car prices. In a similar vein, queues for taxis and rideshares at the airport are also on the rise.

Not only is the airport being affected, but also locals venturing out and the influx of weekend visitors to Las Vegas. This situation is causing longer wait times for rideshares across the city. Additionally, rideshare companies are noting a decrease in drivers compared to the numbers prior to the implementation of capacity limits statewide.

Likewise, casino bars and restaurants are experiencing reduced capacity yet increased demand. They simply haven’t had enough staff to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Encouragement from gaming regulators for casino operators to urge their employees to get vaccinated should have a dual benefit. It will potentially make guests feel more at ease visiting Las Vegas as more employees receive the vaccine. Theoretically, this could also contribute to lowering the spread of COVID-19.

Furthermore, outlining strategies for staff vaccination should aid casino operators in augmenting their workforce. Consequently, as capacity restrictions are lifted, casino companies will have sufficient staff to cater to the rising demand.

Photo by AP / Mark Humphrey
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Marc Meltzer

Marc was raised on the tough lanes of South Bronx. His unique blend of being a Yankees and Jets fan accounts for his often differing perspective. As a self-employed writer and social media advisor, Marc’s work involves writing about steak, alcohol, gambling, and Las Vegas, a challenging task that nonetheless needs to be done.

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