By
Jerry Smith
Staff Writer Updated: 06/29/2020
Jerry’s greatest advantage is his extensive experience on the casino floor. His time as a casino manager taught him everything about what makes a player tick. Besides being a skilled poker player, he has deep knowledge of all live table games and gambling regulations in the US.
Person Wearing Mask
Most casinos across the United States have now either opened or are due to reopen following three months of closure due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Casinos, along with many other businesses, were forced to close in the middle of March as a result of the pandemic and have remained closed until recently.
While casinos are now gradually reopening across the United States, there have been strict new measures put in place to help protect employees and patrons. These include a reduction in the number of players at tables, more space between slots players, increased hygiene, and the wearing of protective face masks to minimize the risk of spreading the infection. Rules and regulations differ from state to state though.
Earlier this week, the Gaming Control Board provided further details with regard to the wearing of face masks in Las Vegas casinos, which at present is not mandatory.
An update on the wearing of face masks in Las Vegas casinos was provided by Sandra Douglass Morgan, the chairperson of the Gaming Control Board. She confirmed that, at present, all Las Vegas casinos must offer face masks to patrons.
In addition, she made it clear that casino employees must encourage patrons to wear face masks. However, the wearing of face masks for patrons is not yet mandatory.
Morgan said, however, that this could change depending on whether infection rates in Nevada increase. The number of infections has increased in some states bordering Nevada, including Utah and Arizona. If there is a sharp increase in the number of infections in Nevada, it could result in casinos having to enforce the wearing of face masks rather than simply encouraging it. She said:
These policies were created and implemented based on guidance and feedback from medical professionals and from the state’s testing data, testing capacity, and contact tracing. If that data changes and our percentage of positive cases increase, I would consider additional measures to ensure our health care system is not overburdened.
Casinos around the state have been opening since June 4th, and while most casinos are making employees wear face masks, they are still optional for patrons. There are some exceptions – Caesars Entertainment, for example, has made the wearing of face masks mandatory for patrons who are playing at the tables.
While wearing face masks in Las Vegas casinos is not yet mandatory, officials are urging visitors to take precautions. Dr. Fermin Leguen, the chief health officer for Clark County, said that because places were starting to reopen, people were becoming complacent, which could cause a spike in infection rates.
He made a statement earlier this week to further encourage casino visitors to protect themselves and others.
He said that with businesses opening their doors and people getting on with their lives, it was easy to forget that the country was still responding to a global pandemic. He added that precautions needed to be taken, and said he strongly advised the wearing of face masks even in places where it was optional.
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