Casinos in Nevada were permitted to reopen legally on Thursday, June 4, right after midnight. Casinos in downtown Las Vegas and those frequented by locals opened as early as 12:01 a.m., while those on the Vegas Strip reopened after sunrise.
After being cooped up inside for just over two months in an attempt by the city and state to slow the spread of coronavirus, locals were eager to venture out. As the day progressed, tourists began to gradually return to the Vegas Strip casino.
We spent the day discovering various casinos located both on the Vegas Strip and in other areas to see what’s changed, what’s new, and what’s remained the same inside these establishments. While the overall Las Vegas experience may have evolved, it has also retained some of its timeless elements.
Locals casinos vs. Vegas Strip casinos
The contrast between the experience in different parts of Las Vegas, particularly between the Vegas Strip properties and the casinos around town, has always been evident.
When the clock hit midnight on June 4, the newly opened casinos in downtown Las Vegas greeted a lively crowd. Given that the Fremont Street Experience was already open prior to the casinos, it’s possible some guests may have started their festivities there before entering the casinos.
Casino staff from Rampart in Summerlin greeted guests, most of whom wore face coverings, by name immediately following a swift temperature check at the entrance. This notable achievement and personal approach is highly appreciated by many Las Vegas locals at their local casinos.
Several casinos on the Vegas Strip commemorated their reopening with unique ceremonies. Staff members stood by the entrances, ready to cheer on a combination of local residents and tourists who were entering the casino for the first time in over two months, as each casino opened its doors.
Though the reopening of Las Vegas casinos was significant for many, it was largely regular business. Visitors could observe the usual variations between properties in diverse locations.
To mask or not to mask
Upon entering the Bellagio, guests are welcomed with a touchless sanitizer station and a supply of free single-use medical masks. Although every casino has numerous sanitizer stations, not all are providing free face coverings.
All casino employees are obligated to wear face coverings, while it is merely recommended for guests. During our visit to five casinos on Las Vegas’ grand reopening, we observed an almost equal division of guests who wore masks.
It was evident that there was a distinct split regarding who was donning face masks. A smaller number of younger visitors wore masks compared to the older ones. This is not particularly surprising. The Center for Disease Control has reported that older Americans are succumbing to COVID-19 at a quicker rate than the younger generation.
The casinos on the Vegas Strip also saw a larger influx of younger visitors. This coincided with a noticeable decrease in the number of people wearing masks both inside and outside of the casinos we visited. The clientele at local Las Vegas casinos tends to skew older, and a larger number of guests in these establishments were observed to be wearing face coverings.
All individuals showed respect towards those who chose to wear or not wear a mask. Unlike some local retail stores, there was no sign of “mask-shaming”.
Moreover, the majority of guests adhered to social distancing guidelines. The only place this was not observed was at the Bellagio Conservatory, where not all individuals were patient as visitors took selfies amongst the stunning horticultural displays.
Temperature checks are different
Casinos can easily monitor for potential COVID-19 symptoms in guests by checking temperatures. This swift two-second check helps in preventing symptomatic guests from interacting with others.
All casinos are monitoring the temperatures of guests upon entry, with each location employing different methods. Downtown Las Vegas’s The D uses a system resembling a metal detector. Meanwhile, Red Rock, Suncoast, and Rampart each utilize a device that bears a resemblance to a movie projector.
On the Vegas Strip, casinos have devised less intrusive methods to verify the temperature of their guests. The Cosmopolitan and Bellagio, for instance, are not conducting temperature checks on all visitors. However, the Bellagio does perform non-contact temperature assessments for hotel guests who check-in physically.
Temperature checks are non-invasive and typically take just a few seconds. However, entering casinos on the Vegas Strip is generally faster due to the absence of lines. On the other hand, off-strip properties may experience delays during peak casino hours.
Plexiglass is less of a deal than it’s made out to be
Much discussion was had about casinos considering plexiglass barriers at tables and slot machines before reopening. However, these protective plastic barriers are not present in all casinos. Indeed, the majority of Las Vegas casinos are not implementing this protective step.
We only visited a single casino that employed plexiglass guards. The Bellagio is utilizing the plexiglass barrier for all table games and select slot machines. This form of protection is also being used at New York-New York, MGM Grand, and Wynn.
The El Cortez is the sole casino in downtown Las Vegas utilizing plexiglass, with no local casinos seeming to have adopted its use.
The plexiglass guards at Bellagio may not be pleasant to the eye, but they do not seem to bother guests playing craps and blackjack. This is also evident in early images from Wynn Las Vegas.
A peculiar application of plexiglass can be observed at the Baccarat Bar in Bellagio, where it is used to divide the video poker machines. This may not be the ideal location for couples to unwind and enjoy a drink.
Table minimums are normal
Casinos can face issues with social distancing at table games due to a reduced number of players per game. A worry was this could force casinos to raise the minimum bet to maintain profits. However, this wasn’t a problem when casinos in Las Vegas reopened.
The table minimums at different casinos were in line with the usual mid-week morning and afternoon rates. Craps and blackjack games at Bellagio had a minimum of $15. Common games like 3 Card Poker had the standard $10 minimum. The usual minimum bet for Pai Gow Poker was $25, which tends to be higher due to the high number of pushes.
One approach to compensating for fewer seats at the blackjack table is to let guests play multiple hands simultaneously. The D, located in downtown Las Vegas, is implementing this strategy. Rather than requiring players to double their minimum bet to play additional hands, The D is promoting blackjack players to play two hands concurrently at no extra cost.
Lasting impression on Vegas reopening
Vegas has reopened! However, it’s not fully operational yet. Certain bars and restaurants have restricted hours, with some still being closed. All shows are on hold until at least July 1. While pools are accessible, day clubs and nightclubs continue to be shut down.
Despite some alterations to the gaming areas, the casinos retain a familiar ambiance. Attractions such as the Bellagio conservatory and fountains have resumed. The scent of smoke is as prevalent in the local casinos as it was prior to their closure in an effort to curb the coronavirus spread.
Seeing the joy on the faces of guests returning to casinos was a delightful sight. Everyone we encountered seemed to be relishing the Las Vegas experience as they had in the past. The enhanced cleaning measures and social distancing protocols should surely put any anxious guests at ease. This was clearly evident as Las Vegas resumed operations in their casinos this week.
