Casino closure order lifted

Nevada is now entering Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan, called Nevada United: Roadmap to Recovery. A significant stage in the Silver State’s climb toward economic recovery, Phase 2 allows casinos to begin welcoming back guests. On Tuesday, Governor Steve Sisolak officially proclaimed that casinos could reopen on June 4. Since Sisolak gave the green light, gaming companies have announced which of their Las Vegas properties will be open for business and which ones will have to wait.

data showed a “consistent and sustainable” downward trend in confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations

Sisolak said he felt confident in letting Phase 2 start on Friday and casinos open next Thursday because data showed a “consistent and sustainable” downward trend in confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

He originally issued a press release last week previewing the June 4 date, but he wanted to be sure the data after the Memorial Day weekend still looked good.

Though casinos can reopen, they still be required to implement strict health and safety protocols such as limiting capacity, enforcing social distancing, and sanitizing high-touch surfaces frequently.

Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Strip, a ghost town since mid-March, will finally see several of its casino resorts reopen next week. Caesars had already announced that its first two properties to reopen will be the Flamingo and Caesars Palace, right in the middle of the Strip. The Linq and Harrah’s Las Vegas will likely be next, depending on demand.

MGM Resorts International will reopen MGM Grand, Bellagio, and New York-York, as well as the Signature hotel.

Both the Wynn and Encore will reopen, as will the Venetian. The Palazzo tower, however, will reopen later. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will also be back in action.

The Sahara Las Vegas, which launched its new poker room a month before the shutdown, plans to welcome back visitors, as does the Strat (formerly the Stratosphere) on the north end of the Strip.

Downtown and off-Strip

While the Strip is what people picture when they think of Las Vegas, many locations downtown and away from the Strip are attractive for their lower prices and more relaxed vibe. Boyd Gaming is going all-out on June 4, reopening nine properties: Aliante, California, Cannery, Fremont, Gold Coast, Joker’s Wild, The Orleans, Sam’s Town, and Suncoast.

Station Casinos is getting aggressive with its reopening plan, lifting the lid on Boulder Station, Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock Resort, Palace Station, Santa Fe Station, and Wildfire.

has even gone so far as to buy 2,000 one-way flights for guests to travel to Vegas

Also opening downtown on June 4 are the Plaza, Golden Nugget, Golden Gate, and The D. Derek Stevens, owner of Golden Gate and The D, has even gone so far as to buy 2,000 one-way flights for guests to travel to Vegas. Binion’s and Four Queens do not appear to be ready. Company spokeswoman Michele Richardson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that they would “move forward” after the governor’s Tuesday announcement.