Last week we looked at the different live dealer or machine blackjack games available in casinos when they re-open. Twitter isn’t the best barometer but the response was split fairly evenly between playing either type of blackjack game.
Shortly after our post last week, Wynn Resorts shared a 23-page Health and Sanitation Guideline for reopening its casinos. While Las Vegas casinos aren’t able to re-open just yet, it’s good to see that the operators are starting to plan. This is the first plan released but others appear to be working on similar plans behind closed doors.
I recommend reading the full plan because there’s a lot of useful information on how the entire casino and resort business will change in the future. For example, on page 13 the company discusses guests wearing masks inside of the casino (we’ll discuss that another time). There will be “Appropriate signage will also be prominently displayed outlining proper mask usage and current physical distancing practices in use throughout the resort.”
Using Wynn’s initial plan (this will likely change but it’s a good start), here are some things to expect to see while playing blackjack when casinos re-open.
Table Game Operations
In brief, table games will have chairs removed and every other table will be open. Expect to see all table games set up for social distancing. Casino Supervisors and managers will ensure that guests do not congregate in groups. Here are specifics:
(a) Supervisors to sanitize table game rails after each guest leaves a game
(b) Supervisors to sanitize each chair area after each guest leaves a game
(c) Dealers to sanitize dice for each new shooter
(d) Dealer to sanitize the on/off button when entering a game
(e) Dealer to sanitize the exterior of the card shoe when entering a game and the interior of the card shoe when the game goes dead
(f) Supervisors to sanitize the outside of shufflers every four hours; inside to be sanitized once per week
(g) Roulette wheel head, ball and dolly sanitized when a new dealer enters the game
(h) Supervisor to sanitize the Chipper Champ every hour
(i) Pai Gow tiles sanitized when new dealer enters game
(j) Big Six Wheel spokes and mirror to be sanitized by opening and closing supervisor
(k) Pit Podiums to be sanitized by Pit Administrator every hour including phones, computers, Veridocs, all hard surfaces and cabinetry
(l) Visual Limits and Elo units to be sanitized every time a new supervisor enters the pit (m) Dealer to sanitize the money paddle when arriving at the game
(n) Baccarat discard pile and BJ discard holders to be sanitized by supervisor once every four hours
(o) Dealer to sanitize toke boxes when entering a game
(p) PAD to increase trash pick-up in pits
(q) Pit Technicians to sanitize hard surfaces and push carts at the beginning and end of each shift
(r) Chip cleaning solutions being reviewed – pending expert guidance
(s) Employees to sanitize tables and chairs after using the lounge
(t) Player’s lounge to be deep cleaned daily
Physical Distancing Protocol
(a) Every other table open
(b) Three chair/guest maximum per table game (corners and middle seat remain)
(c) Four chair/guest maximum per big baccarat table
(d) Three players maximum on each side of dice tables
(e) Discourage unrelated guests from congregating behind players
(f) Remove seating in the Table Games Lounge and enforce maximum occupancy limits
(g) Dealers to verbally give breaks instead of “tapping in” and maintain appropriate separation
Guest Considerations
(a) Guests will be reminded to use hand sanitizer prior to the start of play and reminded of proper mask usage
(b) Cocktail Servers will remain available and serve beverage upon request; Butlers will remain available for food and beverage service in VIP gaming areas
(c) Baccarat Buffet service will be suspended
Slot Machine/Electronic Blackjack Game Operations
Electronic and video blackjack games are considered slot machines. Wynn is planning that slot machines will be turned off and/or reconfigured. The chairs will be removed to allow for physical separation between guests. Casino Supervisors and managers will ensure that guests do not congregate around slots.
Cleaning & Sanitizing Protocol
(a) Hand sanitizing stations on the Wynn Casino floor including one adjacent to Red Card Booths and all ATMs
(b) Workstations to be sanitized at least once every four hours
(c) Slot attendants to offer to sanitize slots for guests sitting down at a machine
(d) Slots to be sanitized at least once every four hours
(e) Slot supervisors to complete a log in each section to track each machine’s sanitization schedule
Physical Distancing Protocol
(a) Slot machines will be turned off and/or reconfigured with the chairs removed to allow for separation between guests
(b) Guests to maintain six feet of separation while waiting in line at
Red Card Booths Guest Considerations
(a) Hand sanitizer dispensers to be placed throughout the slot floor
(b) Signage will be placed throughout the slot floor to remind guests to sanitize slot machines before use or contact a slot attendant for assistance
