The mood in Las Vegas was festive on Wednesday (June 3) night as gamblers waited until midnight when the casinos reopened their doors after shutting down for nearly three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hundreds of people gathered outside on Freemont Street in downtown Las Vegas, many without facemasks, to drink and party while they waited for the casinos to open their doors.

Derek Stevens, the owner of D Las Vegas Casino, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the casino floor. The ribbon was emblazoned with the words: "I was there! 6-4-20 Re-opening Las Vegas!"

When gamblers get inside, the casinos will look a little bit different. The changes can be seen even before stepping onto the casino floor. Some casinos are performing temperature checks on all visitors as they enter, while others are only screening hotel guests.

Gone are the days of crowded craps, roulette, and blackjack tables. Instead, the number of players will be limited, and the tables will have plexiglass partitions to separate the gamblers from the dealers. Some casinos have removed slot machines, so there is six feet between each machine.

"I'm optimistic that customers will see that gaming properties invested time and effort to welcome them back to a safe and entertaining environment," state Gaming Control Board chief Sandra Douglass Morgan said.

Photo: Getty Images

Joe Soto

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