The announcement comes upon the decision from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to update its mask and face covering requirements for the state of Nevada, whereby fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a mask in most indoor and outdoor locations.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak on 3 May 2021 signed Emergency Directive 045, which updated the guidelines from the CDC on mask usage, including any subsequent guidance, meaning the new guidelines are effective immediately.

Updates to Emergency Directive 045, as announced by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, include: “The Board neither requires nor prohibits gaming licensees from confirming patron vaccination status. Licensees are encouraged to post signage with the latest CDC mask guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests.

“The Board’s agents will not attempt to confirm vaccination status of patrons. Consequently, unless circumstances change, it is not practical for the Board to attempt to enforce a mask mandate tethered to an individual’s vaccination status.

“Licensees may have mask policies that are more restrictive than the CDC guidance. Staff should consult with their employers regarding workplace Covid-19 safety protocols. To be clear, however, a private employer’s policies regarding Covid-19 safety protocol are not Board policies.”

Wynn Resorts became the first Strip operator to adhere to the new guidelines, announcing on 13 May that it will no longer require fully vaccinated guests to wear masks at its Las Vegas properties.

Several Vegas properties, including Wynn, MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment and Boyd Gaming have all been cleared to return to 100% capacity within their casinos, with more properties expected to follow in the coming days.