Official Casino Reopening Rules Approved by Nevada Gaming Commission

By Jerry Smith Staff Writer Updated: 05/15/2020

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Earlier this week, the Nevada Gaming Commission approved official casino reopening rules that were put forward by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The rules are being put in place in order to protect employees and patrons when brick-and-mortar casinos across the state are allowed to reopen. This comes after the closure of many businesses, including casinos, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board is responsible for setting rules and regulations when it comes to casinos. They come as workers’ unions and employees demand increased safety, and the state looks at ways to reduce the risk of further spread of the infection as restrictions start being lifted.

Unanimous Approval of Guidelines

The Nevada Gaming Commission is the final authority in the state when it comes to licensing and regulations. The new guidelines were approved unanimously and will help to ensure a safer environment in casinos across the state.

The new rules include limiting the number of people in casinos, ensuring social distancing is adhered to, and putting strict hygiene and sanitization practices into place.

The approval of the new rules will help to ensure the safety of casino employees and customers. However, it was also revealed that a request from one casino workers’ union, Culinary Union, had not been acted upon by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

The union had asked for suggested health measures for workers to be included in the new regulations. This included testing employees for COVID-19, making sure employees and guests were screened, and carrying out temperature checks. In addition, the union had requested that all reopening plans that were put forward by casinos in the state be made public.

Geoconda Arguello-Kline, the leader of Culinary Union, said:

We have to reassure guests that we are ready for them, that they will be safe when they come back. If we don’t get it right when we reopen, the long-term consequences for our industry will be devastating.

There have also been public comments relating to casinos in the state reopening. Some have expressed concerns over people being allowed to smoke in Nevada’s casinos. This could increase risks because smokers would need to lower masks and would be blowing smoke out in a confined area. As such, many have called for casinos to limit or ban smoking indoors once they reopen.

Still Waiting on Reopening Dates

Although measures are being approved and put into place, no date has yet been given for casinos to reopen. Gov. Steve Sisolak closed down all brick-and-mortar casinos in the state in the middle of March in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This included banning the use of slot machines in stores and other areas.

Plans are being made to get the first phase of reopening businesses in the state underway, and this should happen in the next week. However, Gov. Sisolak has already made it clear that casinos will not be part of this initial phase and will have to wait longer before being given the go-ahead to resume business.