Do You Have To Wear A Mask In Las Vegas Casinos? If You Want To Get Paid You Do

Since its emergence in Wuhan, China, COVID-19 has continued to create chaos across nearly every industry. Now, as businesses begin to reopen in the U.S. amid the ongoing pandemic, Caesars Entertainment casinos in Las Vegas have started rewarding those who follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) guidelines by wearing a mask in public.

According to USA Today, The Strip hotel operator encouraged a promotions team to walk around its establishments this past weekend and hand out $20 bills to patrons who were willingly trying to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus by wearing a mask.

Guests inside one of the company's five re-opened hotels, Caesars Palace, Paris, Flamingo, The Linq, and Harrah's, all had the opportunity to earn the extra money while gambling or "strolling the casino floor." In total, 375 patrons were rewarded with $7,500.

There is a catch, however. At this time, the promotion only applies to mask-wearing Caesars Rewards members, though, others can sign up here for the chance to earn money while visiting Caesars Entertainment casinos.

As for what lies ahead for the promotion, Caesars Entertainment public relations specialist Gia Silvaggio indicated that its future is a bit complicated. "The promotion would end if wearing masks became mandatory,” she told the USA Today Network in an email.

This is not the only aspect of Las Vegas' casinos they have changed as a result of COVID-19. As reported by the Reno Gazette Journal, gamblers now have to wear face masks while at any table game that does not have barriers in place. This new rule comes after the Nevada Gaming Control Board updated its health and safety policies on June 17.

"Licensees must require patrons to wear face coverings at table and card games if there is no barrier, partition, or shield between the dealer and each player," the board stated. "This requirement applies to table and card game players, spectators, and any other person within 6 feet of any table or card game."

Additionally, fewer chairs will be available for blackjack, roulette, and poker games, and fewer people will be able to stand around the craps tables. Furthermore, dealers and other employees will be required to wear masks or face shields for the foreseeable future.

MGM Resorts has also installed plexiglass partitions at its tables and bar-top video poker machines in specific cases.