Gambling in the USA
Nevada Gaming Control Board: 2021-37 Emergency Directive 044
Section 18 of Emergency Directive 044 delegates all authority to prescribe COVID-19 mitigation measures for gaming properties to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Pursuant to the above authority, the Board issues the following:
RESTRICTED LICENSEES
Effective May 1, 2021, the Board rescinds its “Health and Safety Policy for Reopening after COVID-19: Restricted Licensees.” Each restricted licensee shall comply with its respective county’s COVID-19 Local Mitigation and Enforcement Plan (Local Plan). If a county’s Local Plan does not meet the requirements of sections 3 and 4 of Emergency Directive 041, a restricted licensee must: (1) limit its capacity to fifty percent (50%) of its occupancy limit assigned to the property by local building and fire codes; and (2) enforce a social distancing of six feet between individuals.
Additionally, each restricted licensee shall continue to comply with the Baseline Statewide Mitigation Measures established in section 8 of Emergency Directive 044; namely, the statewide mask and face covering requirements as set forth in Emergency Directive 024.
NONRESTRICTED LICENSEES
Except as otherwise provided below and subject to NRS 447.300 to 447.355, inclusive, effective May 1, 2021, each nonrestricted licensee shall comply with its respective county’s general capacity and occupancy limitations and social distancing requirements, as detailed in the county’s Local Plan, within the licensee’s gaming areas. These county-specific requirements are detailed below.
If a nonrestricted licensee is located in a county that has a Local Plan that does not meet the requirements of sections 3 and 4 of Emergency Directive 041, the nonrestricted licensee must: (1) limit its capacity to fifty percent
(50%) of its occupancy limit assigned to each gaming area by local building and fire codes; and (2) enforce a social distancing of six feet between individuals.
Additionally, each nonrestricted licensee shall continue to comply with the Baseline Statewide Mitigation Measures established in section 8 of Emergency Directive 044; namely, the statewide mask and face covering requirements as set forth in Emergency Directive 024.
Capacity Limitations for Gaming Areas (based on each county’s published Local Plan)
Carson City:
Occupancy Limit:100%
Social Distancing Measures: 6 feet
Churchill County:
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: CDC recommendations
Clark County
Occupancy Limit: 80% (Increase to 100% once 60% of eligible population receives first vaccine dose) Social Distancing Measures: 3 feet (Removed once 60% of eligible population receive first vaccine dose)
Douglas County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing: None
Elko County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Esmeralda County
Occupancy Limit: 50% of Fire Code capacity
Social Distancing: None
Eureka County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Humboldt County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Additional COVID-19 Mitigation Measures
Lander County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Lincoln County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Lyon County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing: 6 feet or physical barriers between individuals
Mineral County
Occupancy Limit: 50%
Social Distancing: None
Nye County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Pershing County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing: None
Storey County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing: None
White Pine County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Washoe County (Local Plan not adequate)
Occupancy Limit: 50%
Social Distancing Measures: 6 feet
Effective May 1, 2021, the Board will enforce the Health and Safety Policy for Continued Mitigation of the Spread of COVID-19 for nonrestricted licensees. The current Health and Safety Policies for Resumption of Gaming Operations, as issued by Industry Notice #2021-31, will remain in effect until 11:59pm on April 30, 2021.
The Board retains jurisdiction over all licensees, and failure to abide by COVID-19 mitigation measures implemented by the federal government, State, local jurisdiction, or another agency may constitute grounds for disciplinary action under NGC Regulation 5.011.
Formal Requests to Increase Occupancy above Local Plan Requirement
As outlined in the April 2, 2021 Joint Statement of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission on COVID-19 Vaccination of Hospitality Workers (Industry Notice #2021-26), licensees may submit a request to the Chair of the Board for a waiver of applicable occupancy limitations or COVID-19 mitigation measures otherwise applicable on May 1, 2021. Such a request must demonstrate the licensee’s measurable and material steps to vaccinate its workforce.
Requests for increased gaming floor occupancy must also include the licensee’s detailed commitment to its obligation to vaccinate its workforce, until some defined goal is reached or some period of time under such a vaccination campaign has passed, as outlined by the licensee. This document will remain on file and will constitute an ongoing obligation by the licensee.
A formal request as described above must be submitted to [email protected] no later than 5pm on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
CONCLUSION
The contents, requirements, and restrictions set forth in this Industry Notice are subject to change based on a county amending its Local Plan. Each licensee is expected to continuously reference its county’s Local Plan to ensure compliance with the same.
In conjunction with state and local health officials, the Board will continue to ensure that best practices are used in the mitigation of COVID-19, and its effect on licensee operations, and will issue further notices as appropriate.
Gambling in the USA
Playstar Casino partners with Fast Track to accelerate growth in US market
Fast Track, the leading provider of player engagement solutions to the online gaming industry, is proud to announce its latest partnership with Playstar Casino, a leading online casino licensed and operating exclusively in the Garden State of New Jersey.
Playstar Casino is renowned for its relentless focus and passion for providing the best player experiences in the market. Understanding this need as core to future success, Playstar sought a partner capable of delivering unparalleled solutions to enhance player engagement through AI-powered customer journeys and build 1:1 experiences at scale for each player and found Fast Track.
Using advanced AI, machine learning and real-time data insights, Fast Track provides the ideal solution to streamline operations and amplify player engagement, enabling Playstar to execute its strategy at scale and increase productivity.
Jon Bowden, Chief Marketing Officer of Playstar Casino, expressed his confidence in their choice, stating, “At Playstar, the player experience is paramount. Fast Track was the obvious choice for us due to their commitment to supporting our growth goals. We’re keen to automate the bulk of our strategy and work with the most advanced technology for personalization and modeling.
Jean-Luc Ferrière, Managing Director Americas at Fast Track, echoed this sentiment, remarking, “It’s always exciting for us to partner with an operator so dedicated to offering an unparalleled player experience. The team is very keen to start collaborating with Playstar to help them achieve and exceed their business objectives.”
The partnership between Fast Track and Playstar Casino marks an exciting chapter for both organizations as they work together to elevate player experiences and drive sustainable growth in the US online gaming market.
Gambling in the USA
Boldplay™ to make U.S. debut after signing exclusive partnership deal with BetMGM
Boldplay™, the casino software supplier, has announced its much-anticipated U.S. debut after teaming up with BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, and providing its first set of games Cyborg City, Toro Bravo™, and Gold Metal Ox™.
The new partnership will see Boldplay’s extensive collection of innovative video slots, table games, virtual scratch and keno titles become available to customers in the U.S. market for the very first time, enabling countless players to experience the brand’s signature range of bonus features and jackpots.
Notable highlights to come out of the studio include Boldplay Spins™ – a unique twist on Free Spins that sees the reels spin both vertically and horizontally to create more winning pay lines – and the brand’s flagship jackpot, the Boldplay Superpot™, which gives players of all bankroll levels a chance to win big.
The exclusive nature of the deal will also see BetMGM gain a significant market advantage in the U.S., where it will initially be the only platform able to offer Boldplay™ games. Given these titles have already garnered plenty of critical acclaim from players and operators across Europe, their presence at BetMGM will be a huge draw and will help the platform further enhance its standing in the industry.
This latest collaboration represents another significant step in Boldplay’s evolution from up-and-coming studio to one of the industry’s most sought-after software providers and will allow the brand to extend its reach into new regulated markets – a move CEO, Valli Fragoso, is clearly optimistic about.
“Boldplay™ is thrilled to announce that we’re teaming up with BetMGM in an exclusive partnership that will see our games be made available in the U.S. for the very first time,” she said. “By joining forces with such a prestigious operator, we’ll be able to raise the profile of our brand in the country as we continue to expand and we’re looking forward to what should be a hugely successful collaboration.”
Gambling in the USA
Thunderkick enters social casino space with High 5 Casino deal
Partnership marks the provider’s first foray into sweepstakes and the US market
Independent slots studio Thunderkick has announced its entry into the US market and social casino space through an exciting new partnership with High 5 Casino.
This collaboration will see the provider’s highly acclaimed games integrated into High 5 Casino, a free-to-play social casino gaming platform, signalling the provider’s first venture into sweepstakes.
As part of the agreement, Thunderkick will provide its popular titles, including both Pink Elephants and Sword of Khan, to High 5 Casino’s players across more than 40 states in the US.
Founded in 1995, High 5 Casino is one of the industry’s largest independent casino brands, with operations in the land-based, online, and social markets across six continents and in more than 150 countries.
This partnership, facilitated by Thunderkick’s existing relationship with Relax Gaming, represents the provider’s first move into the burgeoning US market. High 5 Casino is the first customer to benefit from this collaboration, with more brands expected to follow in the coming months.
Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “Entering the sweepstakes market and partnering with High 5 Casino is a significant milestone for Thunderkick. We are excited to introduce our games to US players for the first time and to explore the potential of this market segment.
“This collaboration allows us to showcase our innovative content to a wider audience and deliver an engaging gaming experience that closely resembles real money gambling. We are confident that our partnership with High 5 Casino will be a successful one, and we look forward to working with them to bring our games to players across the United States.”
Jerry Wilson, VP of Creative at High 5 Games, added: “Thunderkick’s games have proven to be very popular in Europe and we are excited about helping them launch, not only in the US for the first time, but with social players too.
“We’re sure our players will take to these titles, and they will become fan favourites in no time at all. We’re delighted about the launch of our new partnership.”
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