Nevada Regulators Seek Fines from 3 Properties over Failure to Comply with COVID-19 Mandates
Nevada gaming regulators are seeking fines against two casinos and a bowling alley, alleging that employees and patrons failed to comply with requirements including a mandate for people to wear masks or face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Nevada Gaming Control Board spokesman Michael Lawton said that confidentiality rules prevent the agency from making public details of 156 open investigations or names of entities unless formal complaints are filed with the state Gaming Commission.
Records showed that complaints were filed against C.O.D. Casino in Minden, Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall in Ely and Bowl Incline in Lake Tahoe.
At the Hotel Nevada, a regulator noted that casino employees approached customers while an agent was taking photos and appeared to tell them to don face coverings.
Bowl Incline owner Curt Wegener said he was unaware until a gaming control agent visited his bowling alley bar on July 11 that Gov. Steve Sisolak had rolled back permission for bar areas to be open, effective midnight July 10.
The regulator noted bar-top slot machines were on and available for play, the complaint said.
Wegener said he immediately complied with the closure order and felt frustrated by rule changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The control board, with about 300 inspectors statewide, has conducted more than 10,000 inspections since the governor allowed gambling to resume June 4 following a more than two-month closure he imposed March 17 to prevent people from gathering and spreading illness.
