Related: Is It Safe To Crank The AC In A Pandemic? <\/p>\n
As we reported last weekend, a card room just outside the Bay Area has become the first in the state to reopen for gaming. <\/p>\n
Welcome to Stars Casino in Tracy, where guests get a temperature check and a mask as they enter through the back patio. The outdoor casino floor consists of blackjack, Bacharach and three-card poker tables.<\/p>\n
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, seating capacity has been cut in half.<\/p>\n
\"Normally, you would see eight players on a table, but as you can see there are only four,\" Stars COO Emmanuel Macalino told KCBS Radio.<\/p>\n
The seats are also disinfected as soon as guests leave the table, and chips, cards and cash are stored under disinfecting ultraviolet lights.<\/p>\n
\"Theyre actually proven to mitigate the coronavirus that may be on the cards or the chips,\" Casino CEO Joseph Melech explained.<\/p>\n
Melech said the changes cost them tens of thousands of dollars to abide by state and county safety guidelines, but he's hoping it will help the business survive the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\"Well, if everything stays safe here and the county and state governments are okay with us staying open, I think were going to be okay,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The guests seem to enjoy it.<\/p>\n
\"Its okay,\" one player said. \"I just wanted to check it out.\"<\/p>\n
\"Its good to have an option and if its safe, (with) safety protocols, then I feel comfortable doing it,\" another player added.<\/p>\n
The casino bought industrial-size fans to keep players cool.<\/p>\n
Melech said they are getting calls from card rooms across the state and the country asking about how they can double down on pandemic precautions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The rest is here:<\/p>\n
VIDEO: What Gambling Looks Like In The Age Of Coronavirus - KCBS<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Related: Is It Safe To Crank The AC In A Pandemic? Continue reading