Like it or not Covid-19 has changed the world for us. Every business has been impacted, even gambling. Today we have a look at what to expect when visiting a land based casino, post the times when we were all on lockdown, indoor with the rest of the business world also closed for business.
Here you can see many bookmakers and they all have one thing to say: the land-based experience as we know it has changed drastically. If you think you can just walk through the door and sit at your favorite poker table, thing again. Before all of that, you need to have a touchless temperature check, sanitizer and even face a multitude of plex glass everywhere.
Safety policies have been on everyone’s mind, especially business owners. Imagine what a coronavirus cluster could do to your business. So health safety is key, hence all the restrictions being put in place. It is true, much better being safe than sorry. In the last year, we have learned much about this virus, and businesses have been reacting accordingly.
In a day and age where the virus is weighing heavily upon us, we always suggest that the best way to gamble is to visit online casinos, a place where there are no crowds, you can still sit at a live casino table and enjoy the best games out there. Here are some of the questions and answers related to land based casinos out there, especially the ones located in the gambling heaven of South Carolina.
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Casinos are still open, is there a need for that now?
If there is a word that we have learnt this year, it is tiers. Tiers have been created across the globe to classify how business operate and which ones can open it have to be shut down for business. Tiers are created by the Health Authorities after formally conducting various risk assessments.
In South Carolina, all land casinos are in the purple tier, yet they still enjoy sovereignty over other businesses, hence they can operate if they like. It is quite obvious that they are now. Back in March, many casinos decided that it was time to close until things settle, yet now most of them are open, with amplified health security measures that is.
In the meantime, Los Angeles casinos and card rooms do not enjoy the same perks, and only recently were asked to close again following a stay at home order by the county. Only outside operations are allowed, and with many measures in place. Again, we cannot stress enough, if you have that itch to play, stay safe and visit online casinos
What happens if North Carolina will launch a stay at home order?
Some good news here. While other businesses might need to close 100% with a stay at home lockdown order, not casinos, at least not the ones in South Carolina. The state might order, but casinos do not have to follow since their tribal leadership decides. Casinos being on sovereign land plays a big part in this matter.
With curfews being made in place for specific businesses, casinos kept their usual operational hours, with only some adjusting times to accommodate their in house casino restaurants.
Is mask wearing mandatory also for land based casinos?
Wearing a mask is mandatory both outdoors and even indoors, and this rule applies to casinos. Some notable casinos have also amended their face wearing policies to accommodate the new law. What we always suggest is that you check the site and reach out to your favorite casino to make sure you are not turned down at the door.
If mask wearing is not your thing, worry not as we have an extended list of online casinos you can binge and play at.
Will my temperature be checked at the door, and how does that work?
Nowadays we seem to need less contact as possible, with surfaces, people and so on. Many have questioned how the temperature reading will eventually work in establishments. Gamblers, on the other hand, have questioned how and the process of their temperature being taken.
Some casinos are currently using hand held devices, and as soon as it is your turn to enter the casino, your temperature is taken. No contact with the person taking your temperature whatsoever.
Other establishments have gone a step further, and to remove altogether the human contact, have opted for other approaches. A walk through scanner that scans and records your body temperature, and even walk in scanners. The goal of each process is one, if your body temperature is high (over 37.0 degrees celsius) you would be a liability of having an infection, potentially Covid-19, hence access would be denied.
Look at it how you like, this process is reducing the risk of you infecting or you getting infected. Kudos to such measures being taken worldwide.
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Will casinos floors be the same as we know them, or what changes?
Forget sitting next to your next door neighbor at a slot machine and throwing a small land-based slot tournament. Those days are over. The two-meter distance between one game to another seems to be the norm every now and if before you used to sit about 5-8 people at a Texas Hold’Em table, now that will not be allowed. Smaller amounts in the casino are now deemed appropriate along with less people sitting at a table game.
Some casinos have also taken it a step further and made sure that further policies are introduced to promote a social distance framework. You will regretfully know that some land-based casinos have shut down their slot machines and slot rooms. If you are a slot lover, do not be sad, as we can certainly turn that frown upside down. If you are not into online casinos as yet, you can sign up, play at home safely, and also scoop a hefty bonus in between.
What about smoking at the casino, is that still allowed?
Well, many casinos have taken a stance on smoking, and decided that smoking altogether will not be allowed anymore. On the other hand, a number of other casinos have increased the places where one can smoke or even increased smoke free areas within their specific establishments.
You will find other casinos that have not changed their smoking policy altogether and would allow smoking 24/7 at their playground. Will they change their policies? Who knows, what we will always state is that staying at home is always the best option, and online casinos are always worth a visit.
Buffets at casinos have been halted lately, will they resume any time soon?
Whilst some casinos have introduced their traditional buffets, others still feel skeptical and feel that the profit from the eating joint will not be of a benefit in the long run. Healthwise that is. Let’s face it, you do not want an outbreak at your casino, and especially where food is involved?
Some casinos have changed their buffet restaurant and turned it into sushi, Mexican or even Italian pizza parlours. But buffets place high risk in where people line up, congregate and do not follow the two-meter distancing rule. Hence, some casinos have taken the drastic, yet wise decision to halt such eateries.
Bingo Rooms and also lobbies have been mentioned many times, will these be operational again?
It is a common fact that Bingo has been one of those games like virtuals that have seen a steady increase in popularity. Both online and land-based, bingo is a fan favorite, but suffered the most when casinos came back in full operation. Bingo rooms are normally crowded places with many players staying for an average of three games and more. Some land-based casinos have halted their bingo operation altogether, whilst others have introduced what we call the bingo post Covid era. Social distancing, less people and even virtual events being promoted.
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The good news is that Bingo has been in popular demand online, and some of the biggest online casinos out there, also offer bingo rooms via their site. Another perk that online casinos offer also grant you special bonuses, free bingo cards, and participation in prize pools.
We will let you look at all the pros and cons yourself dear gambler, at the end of the day your gambling playground is yours and yours only. What we want to highlight is that even though some land based casinos might be closed, or donning measures that will defeat your fun, there is always another solution. If there is something that this pandemic has taught us all is that if we all make a joint effort, the online world could also be a place for us to move forward with. Online casinos included. Find the best one that suits you, register, choose your payment method, scoop and bonus and go.
