Harrah’s Las Vegas Opens $200m Revamp Plus Covid-19 Guides

Casino goers walking through the doors of Harrah’s Las Vegas’ newly improved property may well be dazzled by the new $200m revamp on show – but will also need to adhere to Caesars’ Covid-19 protocols when gambling.

The Vegas Covid rate is averaging 200 daily cases and means the city’s famous casinos are operating under social distancing and health guidelines right now.

Many casinos took advantage of the downturn in tourist numbers over the past year to revamp their halls, hotel rooms, and other facilities. And Caesars has done just this, pumping millions of dollars into the Harrah’s property that sits on the bend of Las Vegas Boulevard.

A complete casino floor remodel, two new LED marquees, and 2,542 redesigned hotel rooms form the centerpiece of the investment. Caesars has the casino running at 100% capacity and with the updated gambling experience comes the implementation of health and safety casino protocols.

Caesars Covid Protocols

Among the protocols designed to protect players from infection of the deadly disease are regular cleaning and disinfecting; increased hand sanitizer stations; sanitization zones at check-in, table games, cage, and other transaction points; and masks to be worn in compliance with local guidelines for those who have not been fully vaccinated.

Caesars Palace hotel and casino along the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas. Caesars Entertainment announced they were opening their Las Vegas Strip gambling floors at 100% capacity in May 2020 after receiving state regulatory approval. (AP Photo/John Locher,File)

Meanwhile, social distancing measures will still be in effect at Harrah’s Casino when instances require. Slot machine banks will be arranged for greater compliance with guidelines; procedures that allow only dealers to touch cards on certain games are being encouraged; and the same hygiene consciousness for the hotel, restaurants, and bars is to be maintained.

In May, Caesars returned many of its casinos to full capacity after a year of restrictions. Vegas itself is opening up to more visitors, which the City of Las Vegas said is due to “vaccination rates, a low positivity rate and normal hospitalization rates all justify the lifting of restrictions”.

The Future of US Casino Play?

Vegas hopes to eventually return to its pre-pandemic state when over 42 million people visited the city each year. But there are concerns over the speed at which that dream can be fulfilled. Casinos have increased their vaccination of staff in an effort to prove to local authorities that they can safely deal with large numbers of customers.

Measures such as wearing face masks, socially distanced slot machines, and hand sanitizer stations may become the norm.

But considering the investment made on revamping its casino, hotel, and entertainment stock over the past 15 months, it’s clear Vegas casino owners are preparing for a boom of customers once the pandemic is over.

Resorts World Las Vegas is a $4.3bn complex opening this summer, while Virgin pumped $200m into the former Hard Rock Casino and recently opened its doors.

And for Harrah’s Las Vegas senior vice president Dan Walsh, spending big right now is worth the investment.

“Revamping Harrah’s Las Vegas not only enhances the guest experience but also further reflects the fun and energy that makes Las Vegas such a unique travel destination,” Walsh said.

“We look forward to seeing our guests enjoy all that Harrah’s Las Vegas offers, especially this summer.”