No mask, no gaming: First U.S. casino to reopen offers glimpse of industry’s future

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Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most gaming regulators and casino operators had policies that barred patrons from wearing anything that concealed their identity, to prevent suspicious activity like cheating. Now, casinos are requiring masks.

“It’s really been a culture shock for a lot of people,” said Nizhoni Hodge, manager of the casino’s guest services program. Hodge, 41, who is responsible for training employees on hospitality, said that rather than teaching them how to ask a customer if they need a drink, she’s explaining how to politely ask customers to put their masks back on. “If you would have told me last year I’d be teaching people how to wear a mask, I would not have believed it.

As of last Thursday, there were no confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Coeur d’Alene reservation and in Benewah County, one of two counties in which the tribe’s land sits. Kootenai County, where the casino is located, hadas of Monday, but had not seen significant spikes since mid-April. For public health stakeholders, one of the highest priorities was making sure everyone at the resort was wearing masks.

Industry experts say that plans for reopening will vary, depending on the casino’s size, which games it operates and whether there are also restaurants, pools, spas and nightclubs. The Coeur d’Alene has no table games, but casinos that do will have to consider how to sanitize playing cards, chips and dice.

Miller added that casino operators are wrestling with how to implement these new public health measures while maintaining security.

 

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'Both Kuwait & Qatar said that they will start jailing or fining those who fail to wear masks in public to combat coronavirus. Violaters in Kuwait may face up to 3 months in prison or $16,200 fine, while in Qatar up to 3 years in prison or $55,000 fine'

Yes, change is constant. We change to appropriately suit a current situation!

💸Masks at the casino. Gotta hit the blackjack tables.

Can we still smoke a million cigarettes and drink until we pass out?

Wear gloves too!

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