This article is more than 4 years old and some information may not be up to date.
WATCH: Gamblers cheered outside a Las Vegas casino shortly after midnight on June 4, as the city reopened casinos for the first time in 78 days, since the coronavirus lockdown shuttered them in March, according to reports.
This video was taken at the D Casino & Hotel in Nevada a few minutes after midnight. According to reports, the business’s owner gave away 2,000 airline tickets for visitors to fly to Las Vegas, and discounted hotel rooms.
The coronavirus pandemic had frozen the hospitality and entertainment industry in Las Vegas. In April, the number of visitors to Las Vegas fell 97 percent, local station KVVU reported.
– Jun 5, 2020
Crowds of people flocked to Las Vegas casinos as they began reopening this week after coronavirus lockdown procedures forced them to shut off their slot machines and shut down their gaming tables on March 17.
Story continues below advertisement
But the places where people go to bet their money and try out their luck look much different than before, with staff wearing medical masks, hand-washing stations littering the colourful halls and plexiglass separating guests and employees.
Nonetheless, tourists and eager gamblers showed up in droves, standing still to have their temperature taken and outfitting themselves in gloves and masks.
To reopen, Business Insider reports, casinos are required to submit a plan to the Nevada Gaming Control Board explaining how they’ll be encouraging proper hygiene and enforcing social distancing — by shutting off every other slot machine, for example.
MGM resorts — including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and New York-New York — are enacting a “Seven-Point Safety Plan,” calling for employee screening, social distancing, cleaning protocols and hand-washing stations. Employees must wear masks, while guests won’t be unless they are at roulette tables, Business Insider says.
Story continues below advertisement
Not all casinos were as strict about rules, however. In a video shared by journalist Mick Ackers, the gaming floor of The D casino was packed with people not adhering to social distancing or wearing masks.
Ackers also shared pictures of slot-machine rows full of people sitting right next to each other. Representatives for the casino didn’t respond immediately to Insider’s request for comment.
The D owner Derek Stevens offered free one-way flights to kick-start the casino’s opening party, USA Today reported. Guests got free flutes of champagne and there was a ribbon-cutting. The ribbon read: “I was there! 6-4-20 Re-opening las Vegas!”
So far, 23 casinos have reopened, including The Flamingo, The Cosmopolitan, Golden Nugget, El Cortez, The Plaza and more, KVVU-TV reports.
A social distancing decal is affixed to the sidewalk in front of Bellagio Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip shortly before the property opened for the first time since being closed on March 17 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on June 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. .
Getty Images
Social distancing placards are placed on a slot machine that is out of service at Bellagio Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip after the property opened for the first time since being closed on March 17 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on June 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images
Guests take complimentary gloves from the side of a new hand-washing station on the gaming floor that also offers masks and wipes at Bellagio Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip after the property opened for the first time since being closed on March 17 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on June 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images
Story continues below advertisement
Dealer Gary Reed looks on as Tilak Fernando and Dred Phillips play roulette at Bellagio Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip after the property opened for the first time since being closed on March 17 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on June 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. .
Getty Images
Guests use a new hand-washing station with mask and glove dispensers set up on the gaming floor at Bellagio Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip after the property opened for the first time since being closed on March 17 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on June 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images
Mechelle McIntyre wears a mask as she carries drinks to guests at the Red Rock Resort after the property opened for the first time since being closed on March 17 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on June 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images
Sue McAvoy, accompanied by her husband Jay, has her temperature taken by Emyli Augustine at the reopening of Bellagio hotel-casino on June 4, 2020, in Las Vegas.
Getty Images
Jodi Williams, of Las Vegas, who wanted to come and see the grand reopening, plays a slot machine at Bellagio hotel-casino on June 4, 2020, in Las Vegas.
Story continues below advertisement
Caesars Palace card dealer Cassandra Williams cleans a card table at Caesars Palace on June 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images
A statue of Julius Caesar wearing a mask at Caesars Palace on June 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hotel-casinos throughout the state are opening today as part of a phased reopening of the economy with social distancing guidelines and other restrictions in place due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Getty Images
Chief Executive Officer of Caesars Entertainment Tony Rodio (L) and Wayne Newton (2nd R) watch today’s first casino customer Ben Laparne roll the dice at the reopening of Caesars Palace on June 4, n Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images
Caesars Entertainment Regional President Eileen Moore (2nd L), and GM of Flamingo Las Vegas Ken Janssen (3rd L) pose for photos with two showgirls at the reopening of Flamingo Las Vegas on June 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images