This week, the Nevada Gaming Control Board gave Wynn Resorts full approval to open its gaming floor to 100% capacity. Like many others, the casino operator has been unable to offer services at full capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Wynn, the operator has vaccinated 88% of its employees as of this weekend and this was enough to ease the occupancy levels and physical distancing protocols.

Fully Operational

The Wynn Las Vegas and the Encore Las Vegas will both be allowed to operate at full occupancy levels. The plexiglass dividers that once stood at slot machines and table games can be removed. According to the company, employees and guests will still need to follow the safety and health guidelines of the state. This includes wearing masks.

The company has worked quickly to vaccinate its employees and even surpassed the state’s totals. On Monday, the state had only issued vaccinations for around 46% of individuals 16 years of age or older in the state.

Wynn decided to use encouragement tactics to try and see the majority of employees vaccinated. They shared videos showcasing the benefits of the vaccine as well as offered clinics where employees could be vaccinated on-site. The company also put a new standard in place. Any employee that is not vaccinated must complete a weekly test to see if they have the virus. This comes at the employee’s expense.

Clark County Changes

In Clark County, Nevada, the casino floors have been approved for increased occupancy as well. Officials announced that on Saturday, venues could increase from 50% to 80%. Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak would like to see the state reach 100% capacity by June.

It is unclear if Clark County gaming facilities are able to remove the operating restrictions. A notice was issued in late April, stating that the Gaming Control Board can waive the restrictions for license holders who have taken measurable steps to vaccinate employees.

Operators in Las Vegas and beyond have taken steps to encourage all employees to be vaccinated. Each operator took a different approach to the process. For Wynn, it was requiring employees to be tested if they were not vaccinated. The cost of testing is one reason that employees would go ahead and be vaccinated.

For the Cosmopolitan, the venue decided to try a different tactic. Employees who are vaccinated receive a cash bonus. Providing an incentive is one way that several operators decided to try and get employees to take the vaccination.

Overall, many employees want to be vaccinated in the hopes that things will get back to normal, sooner rather than later. It will be interesting to see how the Wynn fares at 100% capacity. Will the removal of restrictions see more players travel to the area to enjoy casino gaming, dining, and entertainment?