When Southern California’s tribally-owned casinos reopened in May and June from months of coronavirus closures, there were many new policies in place: Players walked into a changed experience full of plexiglass, sanitizer and touchless temperature checks before they even approached their favorite slots or table games.
In the six months since the casinos reopened, things have continued to evolve. Resorts have gradually reopened amenities that were closed in the early phases of reopening and many casinos have refined safety policies as new information about the virus was learned.
If you’re wondering what the latest is at many of the casinos, or if you need a refresher on what things are like now, we’ve put together this helpful list of frequently asked questions and answered them.
But as the coronavirus pandemic continues to grow, things are constantly changing. Be sure to check with the casino before visiting for the latest updated policies.
Q: Why are the casinos open?
A: All of Southern California remains in the purple tier of the state’s reopening framework, meaning that cases are widespread and many kinds of businesses cannot have indoor operations, including amusement parks, movie theaters, restaurants and gyms.
Casinos on tribal land are different though. They have a measure of sovereignty that allows them to stay open if they so choose.
All of casinos on tribal land in the region voluntarily closed for a period of time starting in March and lasting through May or June, but those casinos have reopened with safety measures in place. None have shuttered a second time.
Other kinds of gambling facilities, such as the cardrooms in Los Angeles County, can be forced to close and have been because they are not operated on sovereign land.
Those cardrooms recently had to shut down again for three weeks as part of a stricter stay-at-home order issued by the county. They had been operating outdoors only since October and had been closed for months before that.
Q: What happens if Gov. Gavin Newsom enacts a stay-at-home order?
A: Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested during a news conference Monday that new statewide stay-at-home order could be in store as coronavirus cases continue to surge.
The orders from state leadership do not apply to the casinos. The decision of whether or not operate or how to modify hours is left up to the tribal leadership because the casinos are on sovereign land.
Following the recent curfew announcement, which restricts movement between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., most casinos appear to have kept their normal hours. Harrah’s Resort Southern California modified hours of operation for some of its restaurants.
Q: Do I have to wear a mask?
A: Yes. All casinos in the region require guests to wear face coverings now.
Some of the casinos have gotten more specific on what constitutes an acceptable face covering.
The Agua Caliente casinos; Augustine Casino; Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa; Pechanga Resort Casino; San Manuel Casino; San Manuel Casino, Soboba Casino Resort; Spotlight 29 Casino; Tortoise Rock Casino; and Valley View Casino & Hotel have updated their mask policies in recent months. Most ban bandanas, neck gaiters and masks with openings. Check with each casino for specific rules.
Q: How do the temperature checks work?
A: Every casino checks temperatures by a touchless method when patrons enter.
How temperature checks are done varies by casino. Some have handheld devices resembling price scanners; others have devices connected to video monitors; and some have walk-through temperature scanners.
Q: What do the gaming floors look like at the casinos?
A: It tends to vary by property, but many casinos have turned off slot machines or removed seating at the games in order to encourage social distancing.
At table games, the number of player positions is often reduced; the number of times items such as chips and/or cards are cleaned and swapped out has been increased; and there may be plastic barriers between players and dealers.
Q: Can I smoke?
A: A lot of casinos have prohibited indoor smoking.
Smoking is not allowed inside the Agua Caliente Casinos, Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, Augustine Casino, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Pechanga Resort Casino, San Manuel Casino and Soboba Casino Resort.
Others have taken steps to increase smoke-free areas. Pala Casino, Spa and Resort has carved out new, non-smoking areas such as its Asian Gaming Room; and Casino Pauma has made all of its table games smoke-free.
Cahuilla Casino Hotel, Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Spotlight 29 Casino and Tortoise Rock casino, which previously let patrons smoke on the gaming floor, have not announced any changes to their smoking policies.
Q: What’s going on with the buffets and when can I go eat at one?
A: One casino in the region, Valley View Casino & Hotel, has brought back its buffet, but with food brought to diners’ tables instead of the diners getting it themselves.
Buffets at other casinos in the region remain closed and some have even closed their buffets permanently, using the space for something else.
Harrah’s Resort Southern California turned part of its buffet into Italian restaurant Che Bello and the closure of Casino Pauma’s buffet led to the opening of its Mexican restaurant Lindo Valle.
As for other casino restaurants, it depends on the property. Some continue to offer full-service dining while others have to-go orders only.
Q: Which casinos have bingo right now?
A: Two Southern California casinos have brought back bingo: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino near Indio and Sycuan Casino Resort near El Cajon.
Sycuan Casino Resort in San Diego County brought back the game in late August with measures that include sanitizing between sessions, spreading players out and limiting capacity.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino opened its bingo facility for nightly sessions on Oct. 23, with capacity limited to 50%. Hand sanitizer is available at each bingo station and the bingo area undergoes deep cleaning before and after each session, according to spokesman Michael Felci.
Other facilities that previously hosted bingo, including Pechanga Resort Casino near Temecula and Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa near Cabazon, have not announced the return of the game.
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December 02, 2020 at 04:20AM
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Casinos and coronavirus: Answers to 8 frequently asked questions - Press-Enterprise
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