Late Friday, the National Indian Gaming Association clarified what its mask requirement will be for attendees at the 2021 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention that kicks off Monday and runs through Thursday in Las Vegas.
NIGA released a statement at 5 p.m PT stating that the official requirements for the gaming show will be in line with Center for Disease Control and Clark County guidelines, which state that masks are not required if individuals are fully vaccinated.
On Friday, the Southern Nevada Health District, which includes Las Vegas, announced it’s encouraging people, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks in casinos and other indoor venues where there are large crowds. That came after Los Angeles County announced Thursday it will reinstate an indoor mask mandate for vaccinated and unvaccinated effective Sunday.
More than 5,000 people are expected at the NIGA conference in Las Vegas. Educational sessions start Monday and a trade show exhibit runs Wednesday and Thursday at Caesars Forums
“We have made every effort from the very beginning to follow both the Center for Disease Control guidelines and the Clark County, Nevada COVID-19 protocols, which are specifically in place for our show next week,” said Ernest L. Stevens, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association. “First and foremost, we are always about making sure our attendees have a safe and comfortable environment this year, so if they choose to wear masks as a personal precaution; we welcome that choice.”
In its statement, NIGA said it’s looking forward to a safe and productive event next week.
“We are excited to see all our attendees and are certain that this event will make a major statement that our Indian gaming industry is back and safely open for business,” the statement said. “We look forward to bringing together Indian country and our Indian gaming industry as we set the new normal. Attendees should feel certain that the event will be a safe environment for all the hard work and networking that we anticipate. The National Indian Gaming Association looks forward to visiting with the national tribal leadership and to once again see our Indian gaming family on the tradeshow floor.”
