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Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos® Implements Worldwide SAFE + SOUND Program, Including 262-Point Inspection, As Properties Reopen In Time For Summer Travel
Hard Rock International announced the implementation of a new health and safety plan for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos®, as locations begin to reopen worldwide in compliance with global, national and local health officials. Hard Rock Hotels® globally have implemented SAFE + SOUND, a new program developed by a team of hospitality and gaming experts in collaboration with worldwide health and sanitization specialists, including Ecolab and NSF International, formerly known as the National Sanitation Foundation, to help keep guests and team members safe and healthy. Under the new SAFE + SOUND standards established by Hard Rock®, each hotel is independently assessed by NSF International and required to pass a rigorous 262-point inspection.
Just in time for summer travel, all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel properties in Cancun, Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, Punta Cana and Vallarta are open and ready to welcome guests back to enjoy the unique experiences and core brand values they’ve come to expect from Hard Rock in the safest environment possible. Additional North American Hard Rock Hotel locations open to guests include Daytona Beach, Orlando, San Diego and Guadalajara. The game is on at the Future Home of Hard Rock Casino® Cincinnati, as well as Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Tampa, Hollywood (Fla.), Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, Sioux City, Biloxi, Tulsa and Atlantic City.
Additional Hard Rock Hotels open around the globe include iconic European destinations such as Dublin, Davos and the new waterside hotel in Amsterdam. Asian properties are open in the Maldives, Desaru Coast, Singapore, Shenzhen, Penang, Pattaya and Goa, while the coastal resort in Dalian celebrated its grand opening on July 1. Additional Hard Rock Hotels including Ibiza, Tenerife and Bali are scheduled to welcome guests back by Aug. 1.
“Throughout Hard Rock’s nearly 50-year-history, the safety and security of our guests and team members has always been the hallmark of our service, and we continue to deliver on that promise with SAFE + SOUND, a best-in-class program focused on enhanced cleaning practices, social interaction guidelines and workplace protocols,” said Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer at Hard Rock International. “We’ve worked hand-in-hand with industry-leading experts to strike the right balance, ensuring each and every property exceeds cleanliness standards set by leading public health agencies, while still providing guests with unforgettable experiences.”
The SAFE + SOUND program implements the highest level of safety, sanitization, and employee training. From the initial welcome at check-in down to each detail inside guest rooms and common areas throughout the property, there is a heightened focus on cleanliness. Additionally, Hard Rock team members have been trained by Ecolab cleaning experts on proper disinfection procedures. The plan will also incorporate elements of each properties’ local, government-mandated policies. While individual property protocols may vary based on local guidelines, SAFE + SOUND protocols include, but are not limited to:
- Temperature checks for every team member, guest and vendor upon arrival
- Social distancing markers placed six feet (two meters) apart where lines can form
- Mandatory masks for all team members
- Masks required for guests in designated areas, such as check-in, elevators and public areas such as casino floors
- Seal of SAFE + SOUND on every guest room door upon arrival
- Increased cleaning and disinfecting frequency for high-touch surfaces across public areas, meeting rooms, dining areas and public restrooms
- Hand sanitizer in every public space area and all restrooms
- Team member hand washing every 60 minutes
- Plexiglass separators at front desks, check-in areas, table games, poker games and additional customer service areas
- High level infection control procedures to collect laundry
- Touchless, in-room dining service at guest room door
- Sanitization of guest luggage before it enters the lobby
- Self-service buffets have been suspended
- At pools and beaches, groups of guests are spaced six feet (two meters) apart
- Alternating slot machines are unavailable to help ensure social distancing on the casino floors
- Signs posted throughout the property to encourage social distancing and help ensure adherence to SAFE + SOUND program guidelines
- An overall reduction in guest capacity throughout casino complexes
Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos is internationally recognized as a leader in the hospitality industry – offering world-class entertainment, contemporary designs, incomparable service and one-of-a-kind brand amenities, catering to modern travelers who seek a reprieve from traditional, predictable properties. Driven by integrity, philanthropy and unparalleled guest experiences, the brand adorns 33 distinctive hotels and 12 casinos in the world’s most enviable destinations. Hard Rock Hotels will continue to provide amazing live music, dining options that make guests’ taste buds sing, head-to-toe wellness services and many more amenities, all while practicing social distance guidelines and adhering to SAFE+ SOUND protocols.
Ukrainian esports team L&G won the Dragon EC Cup tournament, held on the 20th of April by Dragon Esports Club. Four teams competed in the tournament’s final: Lazer Cats, L&G, which received a direct invitation to the final stage, EsportsBattle, and ThunderFlash, which had open qualifiers. During the Grand Final, the L&G team competed with Lazer Cats on Mirage, Anubis, and Vertigo maps.
“This victory is a testament to the exceptional talent and commitment of our players, as well as the collective effort of our coaching staff and support personnel,” said Alona Shevtsova, founder of L&G Esports. “We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the unwavering support of our fans.”
L&G is among the top 5 Ukrainian teams in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. It was founded in 2021. The previous name was Leogaming, and it was created on the initiative of the famous Alona Shevtsova from the fintech sector.
The team began competing in top tournaments and almost immediately made it to the Advanced division of the ESEA League Europe competition. The team also participated in and took prizes in European tournaments such as the SCL League, WhiteBit Crypto Open, Phoenix League, and local competitions. The team players are marat2k, r0ublE, kr1vda, kL1o, OneUn1que, rji (coach).
The winners received a 50,000 UAH prize. Dragon Esports Club also prepared a 15-skin giveaway for the broadcast’s viewers.
It is worth mentioning that the L&G team created its merch items, which are available for order worldwide. To get more information about the team, visit the L&G Instagram page, Twitch, or Telegram Channel.
Innovative game studios aggregator Casinogate has chosen to partner with Internet Vikings, a leading supplier of cloud hosting solutions for sports betting and iGaming. Internet Vikings provides its private VMware cloud hosting services to Casinogate, supporting their move into the Latin American market.
At the core of its business model, Internet Vikings assist companies expanding into new territories to start small and scale their infrastructure as their business grows. This perfectly aligns with Casinogate’s vision for a measured and successful launch in Latin America.
“Our tailored approach enables clients to invest in what they need now while providing the assurance of scalability as their operations widen into Latin America or elsewhere. This partnership allows Casinogate to focus on what they do best – creating exceptional games – while we handle the critical infrastructure,” shares Rickard Vikström, CEO and Founder of Internet Vikings.
One of Internet Vikings’ most distinguishing features is its commitment to personalized service. André Castro, Co-Founder and CEO of Casinogate, adds: “Their key account manager worked closely with us to understand our specific needs for the Latin American market. They developed a solution that scales perfectly with our anticipated goals, ensuring a smooth transition.”
From a technical standpoint, Internet Vikings leverages VMware, renowned for its user-friendly interface and reliability. This has translated into enhanced performance for Casinogate, with minimal latency experienced on their platform.
“Internet Vikings’ expertise in hosting and focus on strong partnerships make them an essential asset. We’re assured in delivering premium gaming experiences to our Latin American audience. Their professionalism, particularly during the initial VMware setup, instilled great confidence in us,” André Castro concludes.
The partnership between Casinogate and Internet Vikings exemplifies how industry leaders can leverage innovation and collaboration to achieve mutual success. By combining Casinogate’s thrill-seeking games with Internet Vikings’ cloud solutions, both companies are laying the foundation for a promising future in Latin American online gaming.
Above the Felt, the leading poker and gaming marketing and talent agency, has announced a partnership with Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the grand opening of their state-of-the-art poker room this May.
This collaboration marks a significant experiential poker event in the Mid-West US, bringing together top players, personalities, and content creators with regional players for an unforgettable poker room grand opening.
The main poker room grand opening event, scheduled for Thursday, May 2, promises an electrifying atmosphere with the presence of three powerful figures in the poker industry: Matt Berkey, Jamie Kerstetter, and Jaman Burton. Each bringing their unique personalities and expertise to the tables, the group is set to host a special meet-up cash game, offering poker players an exclusive opportunity to engage and play with their poker favorites.
“We are proud to join forces with Potawatomi Casino Hotel to celebrate this occasion. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to enhancing the poker experience for poker players in the region by bringing together top poker talent to interact with players, fans, and followers alike,” Tom Wheaton, Founder & CEO at Above the Felt, said.
Michael Hall, Director of Table Games at Potawatomi Casino, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Above the Felt for the grand opening of our new poker room. This event marks a significant milestone for Potawatomi Casino Hotel, and we look forward to providing an unparalleled experience for poker enthusiasts with Matt, Jamie, Jaman and Tom on-site.”
Matt Berkey, known for his high-stakes poker skill and award-winning Only Friends podcast, said: “I’m honored to be part of the poker room grand opening festivities at Potawatomi Casino Hotel. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow poker enthusiasts at their typical stakes and share in the competition of the game together.”
Jamie Kerstetter, a prominent broadcaster and player in the poker industry, added: “Events like these are essential for fostering camaraderie and excitement within the poker community. I can’t wait to engage with fans and create memorable experiences together.”
Jaman Burton, an award-winning poker content creator and YouTube vlogger, said: “I’m excited to be partnering with Potawatomi Casino Hotel, one of the leading casinos and newest poker rooms in the state of Wisconsin. It will be a lot of fun to share my passion for poker and connect with fellow players in such an immersive setting.”
Thursday, May 2, attendees can anticipate a fun day filled with poker action, engaging conversations, and unforgettable moments as players experience the fusion of skill, strategy, and entertainment unfold on the felt during the Potawatomi poker room grand opening meet-up game beginning at 12 pm.
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