In Las Vegas, masks are now mandatory.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGBC) in the state of Nevada has revised the coronavirus safety measures for casinos in Las Vegas. Starting now, people must wear masks when sitting at gaming tables without protection barriers. Experts in the gaming industry are raising concerns about an increase in robberies. Are these concerns justified?
Enhanced Safety Regulations in Casinos
Just two weeks after the reopening of Las Vegas, the local gambling regulator NGBC has strengthened the safety regulations inside the casinos. From now on, a mask mandate is in place at all gaming tables where no protective barriers exist. Additionally, all establishments need to provide customers with masks if requested.
To further reduce the potential spread of the virus, the casinos have also been directed to reduce capacity by 50%. Blackjack tables are limited to three players, while six players are allowed at craps tables. Four players can sit at poker and roulette tables. Poker and roulette games can also be played without any infection risk in virtual online casinos.
Furthermore, all casinos must arrange their slot machines in a manner that ensures a suitable social distance between the guests. No specific guidelines for this arrangement were provided by the regulatory authority, but they suggest taking chairs away from the slots. This would create more space and make it easier to maintain social distancing guidelines.
Restricted licensees - companies whose primary source of income is not gambling but are permitted to offer slot machines - must also comply with the distance regulations. These gaming venues can only operate at a 50% capacity. Concerts, boxing matches, and other live events without an audience are allowed for now.
Coronavirus protection measures remain unchanged
Even after the casino shutdown's lifting on June 4th, the stringent regulations by the NGBC were still considered guidelines. The use of personal protective equipment was just a recommendation. The licensees were urged to develop and implement their safety plans for the post-reopening time beforehand.
These plans were supposed to detail how occupancy limits would be maintained. This included the deployment of security personnel, surveillance systems, and accounting systems. The plans also had to contain details about slot machines and tables disinfection and how queues could be avoided.
Most casinos have implemented their reopening strategies. The first to present their concepts were Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, and Wynn. All operators faced immense pressure due to the COVID-19 crisis and wanted to reopen their casinos as soon as possible.
Are the Protection Measures Being Dismissed?
It is not surprising that the NGBC decided to tighten the Corona safety measures, as it became clear on the day of reopening how challenging it is to control the situation. By midnight, lines formed in front of some casinos, and social distancing rules were hardly followed. Visitors appeared to no longer care about the virus threat.
The casinos adhered to their own safety plans and the regulations imposed by the authorities. All employees wore face masks. Distances were set up between gaming tables and slot machines, and partitions were installed. However, according to media reports, only about half of the guests wore masks, and there were incidents at the gaming tables.
It is unsettling that guests were acting so carelessly, considering that Nevada has been severely impacted by the coronavirus. Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, still has the highest number of infections in the entire state. A total of 6,923 cases have been reported, while the state health department recorded 8,935 cases. 429 deaths were registered on the day of reopening.
Is There a Rise in Robberies?
Scientists at the University of Las Vegas are pondering this possibility. These experts believe that criminals could start exploiting the new mask requirement for their malicious purposes. This suspicion has already been proven in one instance. William C., the perpetrator, robbed the New York-New York Casino a week after it reopened. He blackmailed a cashier with a note demanding money, implying he was armed by putting his hand in his pocket. His face was covered with a mask, making him inconspicuous. Later, he was arrested in the MGM Grand, where the authorities had previously known him for several offenses.
Anthony Cabot from the University of Las Vegas said that the security systems of the casinos typically rely on surveillance cameras. Richard McGowan, a gambling expert and professor at Boston College, feels that the casinos are now facing a new challenge - the wearing of masks expands the scope of criminal activities. It remains to be seen if there will be more incidents.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
