How do Southern California casinos compare post-pandemic to the Las Vegas Strip? As Southern California tribal casinos have begun to reopen, casinos on the Las Vegas Strip have also begun to reopen.
MGM Resorts’ New York-New York, Bellagio, MGM Grand Las Vegas, and The Signature are now open. Likewise, The Cosmopolitan, The Venetian, The Palazzo, Wynn Las Vegas, and Encore Las Vegas; and Caesar’s Palace are just a few of the fabulous Las Vegas properties now open.
Every Las Vegas casino has coronavirus safety precautions in place; while many of those precautions are similar to what we see in California, there are some key differences.
Let’s take a look at some of the similarities and differences between Southern California’s tribal casinos and Las Vegas properties.
Mandatory masks
Southern California Casinos: So far, every Southern California casino that is open requires masks or face coverings both for guests and employees.
Las Vegas Casinos: Most Las Vegas casinos require their workers to wear masks, but won’t require mask wearing for guests. The Cosmopolitan, MGM, and The Venetian have all have press releases on their websites that encouraging guests to wear masks, but they don’t require it.
However, in places where physical distancing is impossible or there are no barriers, guests will be required to wear masks.
Although The Venetian isn’t requiring masks, they are promoting mask-wearing. The Venetian will place kits in each suite containing two face masks, two pairs of gloves, a packet of sanitizing wipes, and a 2-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer.
Mandatory temperature checks
Southern California Casinos: The Southern California tribal casinos that have reopened are conducting temperature checks of everyone upon entry.
Las Vegas Casinos: Not all Las Vegas casinos have mention temperature checks in their published safety plans. For example, temperature checks aren’t mentioned on the Caesar’s Entertainment website. However, MGM Resorts’ published Seven-Point Safety Plan says plans to temperature check employees as well as ask them coronavirus screening questions, but there is no indication in the MGM plan to temperature check guests.
Hotel pools and spas
Southern California Casinos: California resort casinos with pools, spas, and fitness centers are all closed for now. However, many California resorts say that those amenities will reopen at a future time.
Las Vegas Casinos: A few Las Vegas casinos seem to be allowing guests to visit the pools and spas now. Caesar’s Palace’s website says that guests can book day beds at the Venus Pool and Lounge and the Bellagio has opened its pool as well as its fitness center and salon. MGM Grand has an open salon and fitness center, New York-New York has an open pool and fitness center, The Venetian and The Palazzo have opened their pool decks.
All of the Vegas properties also plan to place cabanas and pool lounge chairs far apart for social distancing. MGM’s safety plan includes placing pool lounge chairs six feet apart and only every other cabana will be open.
Hotel rooms
Southern California Casinos: In Southern California, resorts were divided on whether to open their hotel rooms right away or not. A few decided to keep their hotels closed, with plans to reopen as the state’s reopening phases progress. The California resorts that have opened their hotels have done so with limited capacity. These include the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Cahuilla Casino Hotel, Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, Valley View Casino & Hotel, Pala Casino, Spa & Resort, Sycuan Casino Resort, Viejas Casino & Resort, and Barona Resort & Casino.
Las Vegas Casinos: In contrast, most of the Las Vegas properties have opened their hotels. Some of the properties have allowed guests to book rooms from their websites beginning June 4. The Las Vegas hotels that are open include the Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan, New York-New York, Caesar’s Palace, MGM Grand, the Flamingo, The Palazzo, The Venetian, Sahara Las Vegas, Wynn Las Vegas, The Strat, South Point and every one the Station Casino properties.
Touchless options
Southern California Casinos: There hasn’t been an indication whether Southern California properties are having guests use their smartphones to check-in remotely.
Las Vegas Casinos: A few of the big resort bars and restaurants, like those at The Cosmopolitan and MGM properties, will have QR codes for guests to scan to read the menu. The restaurants at the MGM properties also send guests a text message when their tables are ready for social distancing.
Guests at The Cosmopolitan can use a chatbot named Rose for contactless resort information and guest service. Guests can text Rose to request housekeeping services, order room service, make restaurant reservations, and much more.
Where SoCal and Vegas Agree
Just like Southern California casinos, you can expect to see Vegas employees wiping down and disinfecting surfaces often. In fact, Nevada’s Gaming Control Board requires surfaces to be disinfected according to the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Gaming Control Board also requires cleaning with “increased attention” to high touch things, like slot machines.
Southern California casinos have places markers on the ground all over the place, reminding visitors to social distance. In Las Vegas, social distancing will also be promoted, on both the gaming floor and any place where lines form.
Both Las Vegas and Southern California casinos have reduced or modified the capacity of their gaming floors. Both Wynn and MGM have every other slot machine turned off and the chairs removed. Southern California casinos have done the same thing to promote social distancing.
Likewise, table games will limit the number of players, as required by the Nevada Gaming Control Board; that’s limited to three players for blackjack, four for poker, four for roulette, and six for craps. Southern California casinos don’t have specific requirements, have set limits on seating at their table games.
Finally, expect hand sanitizing stations all over the place at both Southern California and Las Vegas resorts.
