Latest Gambling & Casino News. Discover the important stories from around the world. Casino.org - The world's Gaming Authority Since 1995. The COVID-19 pandemic closed all commercial and tribal casino properties in the United States. This map tracks reopening across the country at the property-level. A property is considered open based on gambling availability. Please contact an individual property to determine what amenities are available. Current Status: 82 Closed 915 Open.

Casino capacity: We are operating at 50 percent capacity to ensure social distancing measures.

Our top priority is to keep our guests, team members, and the Coachella Valley community safe during this time while providing an environment for you to still have an entertaining time.

As leaders in the entertainment industry, we take pride in leading the way by creating and maintaining the safest environment possible for our guests and team members.

We have taken the following steps to ensure your safety at all times while visiting one of our properties:

• Centralized guest entry and screening that includes state-of-the-art temperature kiosks for guests and team members.
  • We are asking guests to stay home if experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms such as cough, fever of 100.4 or higher, chills, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat and muscle pain, among other symptoms.
  • We are requiring team members to stay home if experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms such as cough, fever of 100.4 or higher, chills, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat and muscle pain, among other symptoms.
• Social distancing at a minimum of 6 feet. Chairs at table games will be reduced.
• All guests and team members are required to wear face-covering throughout the casinos.
• Increased and enhanced cleaning of all touch-point areas including restrooms, countertops, slot machines, door handles, etc.
• Our Agua Clean Teams will provide sanitation services throughout the casino on a constant basis and will available immediately upon guest requests.
• More hand-sanitizer stations throughout the casinos.

We believe our enhanced cleaning and sanitizing efforts will make all of our amenities and our gaming floor as clean and safe as possible. In addition, social distancing and face-coverings will enhance safety for everyone. Learn More

We appreciate your patience and your participation in these efforts so we can ensure your next visit to Agua Caliente Casinos a fun and memorable one!

To protect the health and safety of our guests, smoking will be temporarily prohibited.

The following area is closed at this time:

• Fitness Center Rancho Mirage
• Cascade Lounge Palm Springs

The following areas are open:

Gaming

• Slot Machines
• Table Games
• High Limit Rooms
• Poker Room Rancho Mirage
• Casino Beverage Service
• ACE Rewards and Promotions

Food & Beverage

Open Venues:

Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage

• The Steakhouse
• Waters Café
• 360 Sports
• Java Caliente
• ACE Deli
• Jade
• La Olla
• The District
• Pívat Cigar Lounge
• WetBar

Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs

• The Steakhouse
• Java Caliente

Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City

• Café One Eleven
• 360 Sports
• Java Caliente
• Agave Caliente Tequila Bar

Hotel

• Valet Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City
• Resort Pool Rancho Mirage

Check-in procedures:

• We will continue to practice social distancing during check-ins

Amenities:

• Limited Room Service will be available
• Turndown service will not be provided until further notice
• The fitness center will remain closed

© Provided by The Points Guy

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with the latest information.

At TPG, we paused traveling to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Local and federal governments around the globe are now debating the appropriate levels of isolation and distancing. Before booking that next trip, we recommend you talk to your doctor, follow health officials’ guidance and research local travel restrictions. TPG is continuing to publish deals, reviews and general travel news to inform and prepare you for that trip, whether it is next month or next year.

As we approach summer and states start to ease restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic, casinos are betting they can get gamblers back to the tables. New restrictions for dealing with coronavirus concerns will be in play.

Here’s a look at some of the plans to reopen major gambling meccas across the U.S. and the plans that may be in the cards this summer:

In This Post

Las Vegas

Sin City shut down in mid-March, when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. However, Gov. Steve Sisolak will reopen the state’s casinos on June 4 as long as the trending data regarding coronavirus infections remains consistent.

Ahead of the holiday weekend, I wanted to announce to all Nevadans that I will be holding a press conference on Tuesday, May 26, to discuss the next phase in Nevada’s reopening plan. As long as our data stays consistent, I expect to announce a Phase 2 date for reopening. pic.twitter.com/PzOW3nezWr

— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) May 22, 2020

Read our full guide: A changed Las Vegas prepares to reopen

The shutdown impacted the state’s tourism industry, which directly or indirectly powers one in three jobs in the state. As a result of the quarantine, Nevada has the highest unemployment rate in the nation at 28.2%.

Regulations will limit casinos to 50% occupancy upon reopening, and operators must implement social-distancing and stringent cleaning measures, according to The Wall Street Journal. Many of the largest brands on the Strip, such as MGM Resorts, have stated that they plan to reopen their properties in phases, based on demand.

In order to reopen to 50% under Phase Two protocols, resorts must submit individual safety plans to the Gaming Control Board in addition to attaining current safety protocols. Recently, MGM Resorts released its “Seven-Point Safety Plan” that it will follow when states allow properties to reopen. The plan gives us a glimpse at how dramatically different casinos will look once they reopen. For starters, say goodbye to buffet-style meals and crowded card tables and hello to temperature checks and face masks.

Las Vegas hotels are becoming bookable for this summer in hopes of reopening in June. However, the selections are limited at the moment.

For instance, you can book a night at Caesars Palace from $99 a night in June.

© The Points Guy

Arizona

Glass shields separate players at Gila River Casino at Wild Horse Pass on the packed reopening day. @reviewjournal#OpenAmerica#gaming#casino#coronaviruspic.twitter.com/e8wH2Nhvlo

— Elizabeth P. Brumley (@EliPagePhoto) May 15, 2020

Arizona’s stay-at-home order expired on Friday May 15, and a few casinos reopened that same day including Gila River’s Lone Butte, Vee Quiva, and Wild Horse Pass casinos, Fort McDowell, and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Pavilion. As you can see from the social media post above, new partitions were installed between gambling ‘stations.’ There are lots of rules patrons are supposed to be following including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing though it’s unclear how closely those measures are being enforced. Apparently there were lines and big crowds on opening day.

Arizona casinos open Friday with lines to get in. I have a neighbor that is fully prepared to bring his lawn chair out the night before when Vegas opens, like it’s a Black Friday sale. #Vegashttps://t.co/iPmCt1Bnqa

Casinos Open Today Las Vegas

— Bill Krackomberger (@BillKrackman) May 15, 2020

Atlantic City

Based on a promotional email received by The Points Guy himself, Brian Kelly, Atlantic City is planning to reopen to gamblers this summer.

Many Atlantic City hotels such as the Borgata, Hard Rock, Ocean Resort and Harrah’s have opened up bookings starting June 1, 2020. However, the floors will look much different (and emptier) with new guidelines and restrictions. For instance, many restaurants may remain closed and those that are open will likely be operating at significantly reduced capacity. As for shows, no word yet if those will be allowed or if there will be enough demand for them to carry on.

Although some hotels are now bookable starting on June 1, official hard opening dates have not been announced, pending word from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. This means that if you make a reservation now and the hotel has not reopened, your reservation will automatically be canceled and refunded.

In the meantime, hotels are offering reduced rates to draw in guests. For instance, you can book a weeknight stay at many of the properties for as low as $63 throughout the summer.

© The Points Guy

Weekend pricing is not quite as low, starting at $168 per night.

© The Points Guy

Additionally, if you’re a member of any of the casino rewards programs, you may be targeted for a special “welcome back” offer like one Brian Kelly received.

For more travel tips and news, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Lake Tahoe

Caesars Entertainment announced that it would begin to open up many of its properties across the U.S. in phases on its Q1 conference call. Lake Tahoe, where two Caesars resorts are located (on the Nevada side), was one of the destinations mentioned on the call.

Nevada entered into a phased reopening it’s calling the “road to recovery,” but the going is slow.

In preparation, casinos and hotels in Lake Tahoe are offering deals to bring in guests. For instance, you can book a night at Harveys Lake Tahoe from $100 a night in mid-June. It’s not clear how much of the property will be reopened by then.

© The Points Guy

Nearby, the state of California is approaching reopening business by region. Currently, counties in northern California will be among the first in the state to reopen, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom. So if you’re headed to Lake Tahoe, just be aware that not all of the areas on the California side will be open.

Reno

Not too far from Lake Tahoe is Reno, Nevada’s second-largest gambling city.

Nevada has begun phase one of reopening, which includes restaurants, many of which are inside casinos. These restaurants will be allowed to reopen under strict new regulations, but the casino floor will remain closed. When casinos do get the green light, however, occupancy will be reduced by 50% and social-distancing rules will be enforced.

Is Live Casino Open Today

Deadwood, South Dakota

Casinos in Deadwood reopened their doors on May 7 after the City Commission voted to reopen the businesses under new federal, state and local protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the American Gaming Association’s COVID-19 Casino Tracker, 11 of the 52 casinos open nationwide are in Deadwood. The other 41 are tribal-owned casinos. So far, local sources are reporting that the reopenings have gone well.

“We were about 15% or 20% higher than a typical weekend business, which is significant,” said Caleb Arceneaux, CEO of Liv Hospitality in an interview with CNBC.

Casinos have also reopened in nearby states like Montana.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Gov. John Bel Edward announced on May 11 that Louisiana casinos would be allowed to open their floors on May 15 at a reduced capacity of 25%. Additionally, new regulations will be enforced by the Gaming Control Board including making sanitation stations available around the casinos, requiring face masks and implementing social-distancing rules.

Although casinos have gotten the green light from the governor, Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans will not allow casinos to reopen in her city. In fact, Cantrell will be enforcing stricter rules largely aimed at stopping the reopening of major businesses, like Harrah’s Casino, according to The Times-Picayune.

In other parts of the state, however, casinos are going ahead with reopening plans. For instance, L’Auberge Lake Charles announced that it will reopen on May 18 under new guidelines. Some of the changes guests will notice are lowered capacity, reduced gaming and limited restaurant options.

The Gulf Coast of Mississippi

Casinos in Mississippi planned to reopen on May 21. The Mississippi Gaming Commission sent out new regulations that casinos will be required to follow, which include limiting occupancy by 50% and barring certain events and tournaments, like VIP Poker Rooms.

Additionally, casinos will have to limit the points of entry so that guests can be properly screened before entering. Part of the screening will include a questionnaire and patrons will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer and wear masks while on the property. There will also be a limit on number of players allowed at table games and six-foot distancing must be maintained at slot machines.

Currently, the going rate for a night at Harrah’s Gulf Coast is about $125 a night throughout June.

© The Points Guy

Bottom line

People are eager to get out of the house. The success of reopened casinos in Deadwood, South Dakota, proves that. However, long-term success will depend on guests and casinos continuing to follow new safety protocols.

It will be a much slower reopening for big cities like Las Vegas, but casino owners are working their way toward making it safer for everyone.

Additional reporting by Clint Henderson.

Featured photo by Toms Auzins/robertharding/Getty Images.

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.