Nevada Gaming Control Board put new safety requirements in place for table games
The Nevada Gaming Control Board updated its health and safety policies Wednesday, June 17, with new restrictions and rules for table game players.
According to the board, players are required to wear masks at table and card games if there is no barrier, partition, or plexiglass shield between the dealer and each player. This enforced rule has been applied to table and card game players, spectators and any other person within six feet of any table or card game.
Following the statewide shutdown in March due to COVID-19, Carson City area casinos resumed operations June 4 with new safety guidelines set by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Center for Disease Control. With new restrictions on the gaming experience, casinos will look a lot different for guests and employees.
“Gaming is not going to be the same for quite some time,” said Sean Spencer, Casino Operations Manager at Gold Dust West-Carson City. “Everything has to change somehow, but this should have a positive impact on us for the future.”
Tables are limited to three players at blackjack, four players at roulette and poker and six players at craps. Dealers and employees must wear the required mask or put up the protective shield at the table. Masks are strongly encouraged, but not required for players.
Spencer said that Gold Dust West-Carson City, located at 2171 E. William St., will provide the required masks for every player at table games. Staff and employees at the casino have consistently sanitized all equipment since it reopened.
“We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing with the masks to keep our players safe,” Spencer said. “We’re going above and beyond to clean and sanitize every piece of equipment and enforce those distancing rules.”
The Casino Fandango, located at 3800 S. Carson St., instituted a plexiglass shield at all game tables since reopening day. Manager Court Cardinal said the plexiglass shields will still be in place along with optional masks for guests and players. Tables, cards and dice will be sanitized after every game.
The casino enforced other safety measures on June 4 including non-invasive temperature checks at entrances, hand sanitizing stations and reinforced cleaning guidelines. Team members are required to wear masks and gloves and sanitize each piece of equipment.
“We’ve been more strict when we first started and it’s going to stay that way,” Cardinal said. “Keeping our guests safe is our top priority and we will do whatever it takes to put them first.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has put several restrictions on casinos to keep guests safe. Gaming is an economic staple for Nevada, and the nearly three-month shutdown has greatly impacted the state.
Despite the barriers and obstacles ahead, Cardinal is optimistic that casinos can adapt to the new changes.
“We’re dealing with the unknown, but we are social beings that gravitate towards the fun of gaming and casinos,” he said. “I hope we don’t stay in this state forever because it has a huge affect on how we interact with each other.”
For more information on the Nevada Gaming Control Board safety guidelines, the update can be read here.
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