The Nevada Gaming Control Board has reportedly advised local gambling establishments that it will be increasing its enforcement of federal mask mandates as the state continues its long-running fight against the spread of coronavirus.

According to a Wednesday report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper, the three-member body made the revelation in the run-up to a New Year’s weekend in which Nevada and its collection of over 460 licensed casinos are expected to welcome thousands of additional revellers. The source detailed that ‘The Silver State’ has recently recorded a significant increase in the number of people testing positive for coronavirus with Clark County, which is home to Las Vegas, being among those areas with the highest rates of transmission.

Crucial commitment:

At its most recent meeting yesterday afternoon and the Nevada Gaming Control Board reportedly explained that it would be upping its efforts at implementing Emergency Directive 045, which was issued by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak (pictured) in May to adopt a range of earlier recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The regulator purportedly asserted that these safeguards include an obligation for all people visiting indoor public settings to wear a face mask even if they have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

Reportedly read a statement from the Nevada Gaming Control Board…

“As Nevada prepares for a substantial rise in visitation for the New Year’s holiday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board will intensify its enforcement of Emergency Directive 045 at all licensed locations subject to the mask requirement to ensure the safety of Nevada’s residents and visitors.”

Enforcement exercises:

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that agents from the Nevada Gaming Control Board routinely make unannounced visits to licensed gambling establishments throughout the western state so as to ensure all rules are being followed. The watchdog has purportedly disciplined a pair of licensees over the course of the last twelve months for mask mandate failures including hitting the Mohegan Sun Casino Las Vegas enterprise with a $60,000 fine in June.

Serious sanction:

A second reprimand involving a $10,000 penalty was reportedly issued to The Timbers in November and additionally obliged the owner of the Carson City tavern, Bette Larsen, to surrender her gaming license. The newspaper pronounced that this harsh punishment followed a May investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board in which the facility’s employees were found to be ignoring mask mandates for a second time.

The statement from the Nevada Gaming Control Board reportedly read…

“The Nevada Gaming Control Board reminds its licensees, gaming employees and the general public that a licensee in violation of any federal, state or local law or regulation is a violation of Nevada Gaming Commission Regulation 5.011 and that the Nevada Gaming Control Board may seek disciplinary action by the Nevada Gaming Commission for any such violation.”