With some venues in Las Vegas requiring Covid shots to enter, casinos in New York state were conducting the “Shots and Slots” program to incentivize people to get the Coronavirus vaccination. And now, the state is expanding their vaccination mandate.
The news that the city of New York will extend its vaccine mandate to casinos comes just days after another city did the same. You may recall that just last week the mayor of New Orleans issued a requirement for most indoor activities, including gambling. Harrah’s Casino New Orleans was the first casino to comply.
As of August 18th, guests and staff at New York city casinos will be required to show proof of their Covid vaccination to enter the establishments. And beginning September 13th, inspections with enforcement will begin. Visitors twelve and over who refuse to comply will face fines of $1,000 to $5.000.
New York actually paid people to get vaccinated last month, as the Department of Health conducted a “Shots and Slots” program. That gave players a $5 Free Play voucher at the Empire City Casino, operated by MGM Resorts. Every day of the program, the first 500 people who received a Covid vaccine at the casino got the voucher.
You can read more about the Shots and Slots program on the New York state Health Department website.