Sanitizing slots, cards a priority for casinos
Fear of patrons contracting the H1N1 virus has prompted Midwest casinos to implement safety measures, such as installing anti-bacterial dispensers and placing bottles of hand sanitizers and jars of sanitizing wipes on their gaming floors.
An Argosy Casino spokesman told a Sioux City, Iowa, television station that employees have taken to sanitizing slot machines, casino chips and playing cards on a regular basis.
These steps are nothing new to Nevada casinos.
MGM Mirage Executive Director of Health and Safety Tim Jones said the casino industry instituted various health guidance procedures in 2002 when fears of the norovirus emerged. Reaction to H1N1 is no different.
"It's really more of a refresher for our employees, such as making sure you wash your hands regularly," Jones said. "We have a standard procedure of washing down public surfaces once a shift."
MGM Mirage casinos operate three shifts a day, meaning public areas are cleaned three times daily. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends once a day.
Adding hand-sanitizing dispensers to casino areas might be considered, Jones said. Bottles of hand sanitizer are made available in convention areas.
Station Casinos is installing anti-bacterial dispensers inside the company's eight Feast Buffets for customers.
In gaming pits, hand sanitizers are available to Station Casinos dealers.
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A subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Union Gaming Group will help Tropicana Entertainment evaluate market conditions.
Privately held Tropicana reorganized under bankruptcy and operates small casinos in Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana and Nevada, including two casinos in Laughlin and the MontBleu in Lake Tahoe. The company lost the Tropicana Las Vegas in the bankruptcy.
"It is an incredibly important time in the company's evolution as it looks to restore one of gaming's most iconic brands," Union Gaming Group Principal Bill Lerner said.
Tropicana CEO Scott Butera said Union Gaming has "unique insights into many of the markets where we do business."
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The Sands Bethlehem in Pennsylvania is adding a touch of the Big Apple to entice New Yorkers to the casino.
A branch of the Carnegie Deli is opening at the Las Vegas Sands Corp. casino at the end of the month, along with BAM, a hamburger restaurant owned by chef Emeril Lagasse.
The Sands Bethlehem will be the restaurant's third store, joining the original Midtown Manhattan location and one at The Mirage.
Howard Stutz's Inside Gaming column appears Sundays. E-mail him at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or call 702-477-3871. He blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/stutz.
