Behind the Scenes Look at Las Vegas Casinos Before Reopening

Las Vegas casinos are set to open for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down Sin City, here’s what they’ll see.

For the first time since the JFK assassination, Las Vegas shut down the strip and all of its casinos because of the coronavirus pandemic. Starting on June 4th they are allowed to reopen for the first time in months. Social distancing guidelines, hand-washing stations, plexiglass at slot machines will all be part of Vegas’ new normal.

Take a look at what gamblers can expect to see when they enter casinos in Sin City for the first time since late March.

Full Transcript Below:

Bill Enright: Las Vegas casinos are set to reopen for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down Sin City. Sports Illustrated now has video footage of some of the changes these casinos made. Let's go to Frank Taddeo. our gambling and local Las Vegas resident to take us through what some of the casinos put in place. Frankie, take it away.

Frank Taddeo: Yeah, Bill, the new Vegas for the new reality is becoming unmasked and, boy... The changes are tremendously different from the last time many people have visited the Los Vegas Strip. These new procedures are definitely going to keep safety protocols in place and actually make sure that many people feel safe to return once again to the Las Vegas Strip. MGM Resorts, specifically the Bellagio, we've gotten access to see how they've resembled the layout and implemented new procedures at the resort to account for the new reality of trying to safely operate post the COVID-19 pandemic shut down. All employees will be required to wear masks, while guests will only be strongly encouraged to do so but at table games, such as craps or roulette, the players won't only be encouraged, they're going to be required to wear those masks. Bill, one of the newest additions is going to be handwashing stations built throughout the casino floor for employees and guests to use. They're also going to follow six-foot social distancing policy throughout the resort. That goes for the pool areas of eating areas everywhere. Everyone's going to be following the six-foot mandatory social distancing policy. 

The Bellagio Resort And Casino

The Bellagio, Bill, they are going to have a different policy, though, in terms of temperature checks. As we know, the Venetian and Palazzo, they're going to be implementing thermal imaging cameras at all of their entrances and exits and that's a new normal for visitors coming through the doors of their favorite hotel. In addition, Bill, unfortunately, as we've already covered here at Gambling Today, when many of these casinos reopen as early as 12:01, midnight this evening, the Wynn resorts and ARIA, two of the biggest poker destinations on the strip, they've announced that they're going to be reopening without poker rooms. That's a sad fact to be operating past this shutdown and know that we've lost that ability. The thermal cameras, the new handwashing stations, this is a new reality for a new Vegas, as well as all of the partitions. Obviously, all of the casino operators are hoping that many of the guests and tourists from around the country will feel that it's safe to come back to Sin City, Bill, and I think these are important measures that we've now seen and unveiled.

Bill Enright: Excellent reporting, as always, Frankie. We have plenty more gambling news from Sports Illustrated. You can find it by going to SI.com/gambling.

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