The STRAT Becomes Latest Vegas Casino to Reopen at Full Capacity

The STRAT has become the latest Las Vegas hotel and casino to have been allowed to reopen services at 100% capacity as Nevada is looking to resume businesses to full capacity by June 1 as part of a plan introduced by Gov. Steve Sisolak in April.

On Monday, the gambling resort was given the green light by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to fully reopen its casino floor. Nevada casinos have been operating with strict anti-pandemic measures in place and at limited capacity since they resumed operations last summer after a three-month state-mandated shutdown of non-essential businesses.

The STRAT’s parent group, Golden Entertainment Inc., announced Monday that the capacity restrictions were lifted immediately after the regulatory approval was granted.

Stephen Thayer, the property’s Vice President and General Manager, said Monday that they worked diligently to meet the state regulator’s requirements, “which not only advance us to the next step in safely reopening Las Vegas, but also enhance our guest experience.”

Mr. Thayer further noted that they will continue to support additional measures aiming to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including mask mandates, as they wish to make sure they provide a safe and health environment for staff and guests.

Golden Entertainment Held Vaccine Clinics for Casino Employees

Golden Entertainment in April provided Covid-19 vaccinations at on-site clinics across its properties for all team members and their families. Aside from The STRAT, the company also operates Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder in Las Vegas, Aquarius Casino Resort and Edgewater Casino Resort in Laughlin and Pahrump Nugget Hotel & Casino in Pahrump, Nevada.

More than 6,000 Nevadans work at the company’s casinos, gaming route operations, and PT’s taverns around the Silver State. Incentive offers for team members who wished to complete their vaccinations have been provided, including $25 gift cards, swag bags, and entry to win a staycation at one of the company’s properties.

The STRAT is the latest of several properties to have been allowed to resume operations at full capacity since the beginning of the month, with Wynn, Encore, and The Cosmopolitan being the others.

Last month, Gov. Sisolak announced that his goal would be to have the entire state open to 100% capacity by June 1. The statewide social distancing mandate was removed at the beginning of May, while all Clark County casinos were allowed to raise their occupancy from 50% to 80% on that day.

Golden Entertainment purchased The STRAT in 2017. The hotel, casino, and skypod property was rebranded from The Stratosphere in 2019 and underwent a $140 million remodel to address its “kind of outdated” feel and reinvent itself for enhanced guest experience.

Source: The Strat casino now open 100 percent capacity, Las Vegas Review-Journal, May 12, 2021