The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas said Tuesday it was cleared by state gaming regulators to return to full capacity after proving 80% of its workforce have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
The announcement follows Wynn Resorts’ announcement that both its Strip properties returned to 100% capacity after more than 88% of its workforce was vaccinated. The Cosmopolitan was cleared to remove its social distancing restrictions and plastic barriers at gaming tables.
“We believe the only clear path to normalcy and bringing our entire workforce back is through vaccinations,” Cosmopolitan CEO Bill McBeath said in a statement. “It’s pertinent to not only The Cosmopolitan but to our entire industry in ensuring travel can safely return to the destination. I could not be more proud of our team for doing their part to protect our city.”
The Strip resort paid out nearly $1 million in cash bonuses to vaccinated employees. The Cosmopolitan extended the deadline for the employee bonuses to May 8 with the goal of increasing vaccinations.
In a statement released by the casino, Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman Brin Gibson said the property “set an industry-standard” in vaccinating its workforce.
“As a result, The Cosmopolitan is one of few Las Vegas gaming properties to receive approval to return to full capacity due to its overwhelming employee response, and we’ve asked them to share their methodology, strategy, and success with the wider hospitality industry,” Gibson said.
The Cosmopolitan launched a comprehensive internal campaign to educate, incentivize and facilitate onsite employee vaccinations on April 13. Cosmopolitan employees were provided numerous resources and opportunities to educate themselves, ask questions and make the decision to vaccinate.
Casinos on the Strip and throughout Southern Nevada’s Clark County increased from 50% to 80% capacity on Saturday. Nevada gaming regulators have said casinos would go to 100% capacity once 60% of the eligible population has received its first COVID-19 vaccine.
The Cosmopolitan and Wynn Resorts, along with MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Red Rock Resorts, Golden Entertainment, and Boyd Gaming, set up vaccination centers at their properties.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgaming.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
