Page 15 - Southern California Gaming Guide • June 2020

In time, we won’t have to wear or see casino employees wearing facemasks, and every slot machine previously taken out of service in order to comply with social distancing guidelines will be available to play. In other words, this too shall pass. But safety precautions at the casino may be around for a while, and their need ushered in the use of new technological advances and innovative operational changes that not only promote health and safety, but also enhance the casino experience. Some featured casinos have the following in place. At Barona Resort & Casino, their state-of-the- as a disinfectant against coronaviruses. It is The product is one of more than 700 compliance measures in use by the casino, including an increased frequency of cleaning, which remains necessary even with TruClean. “When you use our surface coating, the coating itself is going to control the microorganisms and you constantly have to wipe it down with a microfiber towel and water to remove any of the dead cell remnants fromthesurface,”saidSmith. Viejas Casino & Resort was the first Southern California Tribal casino to reopen on May 18th at 8 a.m. Owned and operated by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Viejas has implemented physical distancing, intense cleaning and sanitization practices, mandatory face coverings for both guests and team members as well as temperature and symptom monitoring. “Viejas has also recently invested in new cutting edge UV germicidal technology that will be utilized to clean and sanitize the property every day,” according to Viejas. “This investment is a scaled approach that will eventually protect you passively, providing medical-grade, hospital clean conditions not matched anywhere else.” According to a video on the Viejas Facebook page, “UVC Technology is a known disinfectant for air, water, and surfaces. It mitigates the risk of requiring infection andithasbeenastandardwithinthemedicalprofession for years. All bacteria and viruses tested to date, hundreds including the coronavirus, COVID-19, are completely eradicated through UVC treatment.” Agua Caliente Casinos Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs are utilizing MicroShield360, an EPA registered and FDA approved coating system that prevents pathogens from living on any treated surface. The system drastically reduces cross-contamination while also preventing mold and odors from ever forming. Look for further information on Southern California casinos’ innovative approaches to safeguard its guests and team members in the July issue. art, triple-stage air filtration system incorporates ultra violet (UV) light technology that refreshes and disinfects the air on a continual basis, providing clean casino air. The UV light is very effective at inactivating pathogens like viruses and bacteria. Germicidal UV products tout 99% pathogen kill rates. The replacement and cleaning of Barona’s system exceeds industry standards. UV lights will be replaced every 6 months, air filters will be replaced every 2 months and the cleaning of the system/air ducts will be performed quarterly. Sycuan Casino Resort has partnered with TruClean, a San Diego-based company, who has sprayed their antimicrobial-based coating throughout the property. The self-cleaning coating is internationally registered as a long-term disinfectant that controls bacteria, viruses, fungi and mold, and is registered as a treated article according to US Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulations. The invisible coating outperforms traditional disin- fectants in many categories with respect to effectiveness, ease of application, life expectancy, safety, and environmental impact. undergoing testing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and officials at Sycuan Casino believe it can be a useful tool. InavideoforSycuanCasinoResort,Smithexplains howTruCleanfunctionslikeaScotchGuard,which allows fabrics to become water repellent.“In the same way, the invisible coating is like a Scotch Guard that contains microscopic needles, and as soon as a microbe touches the coating it gets pierced instantly and the microbe is eliminated. This technology of antimicrobial coatings has been used widely internationally, and it’s registered as a long-term medical-grade disinfectant that is very effective against coronavirus.” TruClean 365 is applied once a year, but since casinos have many surfaces that are frequently touched, Sycuan Casino Resort will reapply a lower strength version, TruClean 90, every three months. “ Within the coating, there are microscopic molecules that resemble spikes and these spikes have the ability to pierce the cell membranes of a broad spectrum of microorganisms,” explained Ramont Smith, Operations Manager of TruClean. The product is a non-toxic surface coating that the company said is proven in other countries Sycuan Casino Resort has partnered with TruClean, a San Diego-based company who has sprayed their antimicrobial-based coating throughout the property. JUNE 2020 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE PAGE 15