As other resorts close on the Las Vegas Strip, the Caesars Entertainment properties are staying open. Same for local establishments off the Strip and in downtown Las Vegas.
Over the weekend, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts both announced the temporary closure of their respective Las Vegas properties because of concerns for the spreading coronavirus. Combined, that’s a dozen Strip casinos.
But Caesars, with eight resorts on the Strip, remained open. Others on and off the Strip are also staying open, such as Las Vegas Boulevard properties Treasure Island, Tropicana, Venetian, Palazzo and the Strat.
While governors and state gaming agencies in states like New Jersey, Maryland, Louisiana, Michigan and Illinois have required casinos to close temporarily amid the worsening coronavirus crisis, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and state gaming commission officials have stopped short of a mandate.
“As we all know, gaming is the lifeblood of Nevada’s economy, and a source of financial support for so many of our citizens and their families,” Sisolak said Sunday. “But to protect the public health and safety of Nevadans and visitors, I strongly support any of our properties that make the difficult decision to close to the public.”
There have also been no closures of non-Strip properties, meaning casinos in downtown Las Vegas, and the many Station Casinos and Boyd Gaming properties are still operating. The same is true for neighborhood casinos South Point, M Resort, Rampart and both Arizona Charlie’s locations.
All have issued statements saying they are increasing cleaning efforts and implementing new sanitation standards.
“From our early local Las Vegas beginnings to the present day, the health and safety of our guests and team members has always been our highest priority,” Golden Entertainment, operators of Arizona Charlie’s, wrote in a letter to patrons.
Like many others, Golden Entertainment is adding more hand sanitizers to public areas, increasing cleaning efforts in high-contact areas, and wiping down menus and counters with disinfectant after each guest.