Nevada Gaming Control Board opens 111 cases for violations since casino reopenings

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has opened 111 cases of violations to Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s emergency directive.

The regulators have not specified where the violations took place, citing confidentiality rules; only that they have those open cases that followed extensive checks since the Declaration of Emergency Directive was put in place before casinos reopened on June 4, according to a Wednesday news release. The Board has enforced its Health and Safety Policies for reopening as of that date.

The violations that fall under the directive include face coverings for employees, and several rules that apply to sanitation practices and social distancing. The governor’s order requiring more widespread use of face masks came on June 24.

Since June 4, the Enforcement Division of the Board has conducted 1,453 inspections and observations of nonrestricted licensees, and 6,008 in smaller gaming operations under restricted licenses, which apply to places that have a maximum of 15 slot machines such as bars, convenience stores and grocery stores.

“Pursuant to the authority granted to the Board in section 35 of Emergency Directive 021, the Board has worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to monitor gaming licensees’ compliance with the Board’s Health and Safety Policies,” said James Taylor, Chief of Enforcement.

Chairwoman Sandra Douglass Morgan stated: “The Gaming Control Board is committed to work with our state and local partners to enforce Governor Sisolak’s Emergency Directives and the Board’s Health and Safety Policies. Non-compliance with federal, state, local laws, or the Health and Safety Policies constitute a violation of Nevada Gaming Commission Regulation 5.011, which may result in the Board taking disciplinary action against a noncompliant licensee.” 

In addition, the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations has conducted 259 checks since stricter mask regulations went into practice. Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials will conduct ongoing compliance enforcement. Gaming establishments will also be surveyed as part of the ongoing effort, according to a news release from the Industrial Relations division. About 85% of businesses checked have been in compliance so far, the news release reports. Initial observations have been conducted at grocery stores, home improvement stores, clothing stores, gyms, hair and nail salons, and other retail locations where large groups of people may gather. 

If non-compliance is found during an initial observation, the business is provided a written notice and request for voluntary compliance, KLAS reports. A follow-up visit by Nevada OSHA officials will be conducted. If the employer is still not complaint and a violation is found, a notice of citation and penalty will be issued. A maximum penalty of $134,940 can be assessed by OSHA.

The Gaming Board is also working with Clark County Business License Department and the City of Las Vegas Business License Department to monitor and enforce gaming licensees’ compliance.