Resorts World has become the latest Las Vegas operator to issue a vaccine mandate for its employees.

As of 13 September, all new hires must now present proof of vaccination before they can start work, the operator has revealed.

This comes in the wake of a similar announcement by the off-Strip Westgate casino resort, whose CEO David Siegel stated on Friday 10 September that it will require all workers to be vaccinated by 15 October.

Siegel recently told staff in a memo that he survived a tough battle with Covid-19 in July and encouraged employees to seek vaccination as soon as possible.

“The doctors who treated me told me that had I not been vaccinated, I likely would not be here today to share this story with you,” said Siegel. “The antibodies in my blood from being vaccinated helped me fight the virus and, to put it simply, the Covid-19 vaccine saved my life.”

Following a federal order by President Joe Biden, Las Vegas has seen its major operators scramble to institute vaccine mandates.

All businesses with 100 or more employees must now make the choice between seeing their workers vaccinated against Covid-19 or face weekly testing.

Both Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands require their employees to be vaccinated or tested every week.

This marks another bump on an already rocky road for the $4.3bn Resorts World Las Vegas that opened its doors in June.

While tourists have returned to Vegas, visitation numbers are below pre-pandemic levels, and this move could further harm the operator.

Standing on the former site of the Stardust Resort and Casino, Resorts World Las Vegas is the most expensive resort ever developed in the US gambling capital and the biggest new property on the Strip in over 10  years, taking up an 88-acre plot.