Page 14 - Southern California Gaming Guide • July 2020

Hopefully in time, we won’t have to wear face masks, and every slot machine previously more than three players allowed per table game;
taken out of service to comply with social distancing guidelines will be available to play.
In other words, this too shall pass. But the “new normal” at the casino may be around for a while, and may have ushered in the use of technological advances and operational changes that promote health and safety and ultimately, enhance the casino experience. Currently at all Southern California casinos, guests and employees are required to wear face-coverings and are required to have their temperatures checked before they enter. Social distancing is employed by physical distancing guidelines throughout the casinos. Check out some of the additional safety features these casinos have employed.
Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage and Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, which reopened on May 22nd, use MicroShield 360, an EPA- and FDA- approved long-lasting 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. Hand-sanitizing units are available throughout the casino and resort. And with the push of a button on your slot machine, the Agua Clean Team will refresh your game with additional sanitizing. For more information on safety and cleanliness measures, plus the current status of all casino resort amenities, visit AguaCalienteCasinos.com.
Barona Resort & Casino reopened on May 27th and features a state-of-the-art, triple-stage air filtration system incorporating Ultra Violet (UV) light technology that refreshes and disinfects the air on a continual basis, providing clean casino air. 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 air filtration system exceeds industry standards. UV lights are replaced every six months, air filters are replaced every two months, and the cleaning of the system/air ducts are performed quarterly. For more information on safety and cleanliness measures, plus the current status of all casino resort amenities, visit Barona.com.
Noted on its website, Casino Pauma was one of the first casinos in Southern California to voluntarily close and one of the last to reopen. Casino Pauma had been temporarily closed on March 15th and reopened on June 12th.
“The Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians and Casino Pauma continue to commit to our core value, ‘Where People Come First,’” said Jim Thomason, General Manager of Casino Pauma. “Because we are a smaller local casino that does not have a hotel, spa, pool, and other amenities like the larger resorts, it is far easier to manage safety for our guests. Our staff has worked
tirelessly to make Casino Pauma a safer environment. Not only did we shut down alternate slot machines, but took an extra step and reconfigured our entire gaming floor to offer a more spacious and dynamic gaming experience. Casino Pauma has never looked better and we are excited to welcome back our guests.”
Safety protocols and measures, including face mask, temperature checks and social distancing are in place, as well as the following: reconfigured gaming floor with more space between slot banks and alternate slot machines turned off; no
Plexiglass shields at the cage, Players Club, food & beverage outlets and other areas; hand sanitation and wipe stations throughout the casino; daily deep-cleaning procedures including the use of CDC-approved Triton Disinfectant; and increased filter replacement of hospital-grade microbial filters for all air handling systems. For more information on the current status of all casino amenities, visit CasinoPauma.com.
Pala Casino Resort Spa reopened on May 22nd with extensive sanitizing and cleaning protocols in place. All cleaning and sanitizing processes utilize safe and efficient technologies including electrostatic foggers that employ static electricity to increase coverage (360 degree) of disinfectants when applied to targeted surfaces. Pala Casino Resort’s HVAC system utilizes UV light to supplement the filtration system and increase its overall efficiency. UV Light emits ultraviolet radiation that has been determined to be effective in killing COVID-19. For more information on safety and cleanliness measures, plus the current status of all casino resort amenities, visit PalaCasino.com.
Valley View Casino & Hotel reopened on May 22nd. In a letter on the Valley View website, General Manager Bruce Howard states, ”The safety of our guests, our team members and our local community remains our highest priority. We are happy to announce that we have reopened our casino, our hotel and our restaurants. When you visit us, please enjoy complimentary parking in our covered garage or free valet parking at our grand entrance. In addition to offering our guests a more spacious casino, including an expanded non-smoking area, a hotel with reduced capacity and fewer tables and chairs in all of our restaurants, bars and lounges, we have taken quite a few additional safety precautions that you will notice when you return. Included in our precautionary measures is now a requirement for all of our guests and all of our team members to wear an appropriate face mask while in our casino.”
For more information on the current status of all casino amenities, visit ValleyViewCasino.com.
With the push of a button on your slot machine, the Agua Clean Team will refresh your game with additional sanitizing.
PAGE 14 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
JULY 2020