LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas casinos are starting the reopening process on Thursday, with many reopening their doors at 12:01 a.m. as part of Nevada's Phase 2 recovery plan.
What is reopening and when during Phase 2 in Las Vegas
This story will be updated with the latest happenings and introductions to what a few of the new way bettors can gamble in the city after the coronavirus closures and changes.
11:30 P.M. 13 Action News Anchor Ross DiMattei recaps the historic day in Las Vegas as casinos reopened after an 11-week shutdown.
6:45 P.M. 13 Action News Reporter Astrid Mendez gives an inside look at the new safety protocols in place at PT's Taverns in Southern Nevada.
6:15 P.M. 13 Action News Anchor Jackie Kostek caught up with a few Las Vegas locals returning to Red Rock hotel-casino on its first day of its reopening.
6:10 P.M. Several PT's Taverns across the Las Vegas valley are back open for business with gaming returning to the state.
Reviva Las Vegas is on! Today, several casinos are finally open; other gaming and bars too, like #PTTaverns. Lots of customers in over 60 locations. You’ll see some changes though, like the paper coaster that will transform into the menu! Live at 5pm and 6pm @KTNV #ReVivaLasVegas pic.twitter.com/Bf8k42SnG3
— Astrid Méndez (@astridmendeztv) June 5, 2020
6:05 P.M. Spirit Airlines has announced an increase in flights to Las Vegas beginning in July as the city continues to reopen more amenities.
WELCOME BACK ✈️
Things have been fairly quiet at @LASairport today as casino’s reopen.
However, airlines say they will be increasing routes to/from Vegas soon. @SpiritAirlines going from 10 to 29 nonstop flights by the end of July @KTNV pic.twitter.com/0dhLfanViW
— Austin Carter (@AustinKTNV) June 5, 2020
4:40 P.M. The El Cortez in downtown Las Vegas continues to be busy with casino-goers on the first day of its reopening.
I just popped into the @ElCortezLV and it’s business as usual! #ReVivaLasVegas @KTNV
Live report coming up in minutes! pic.twitter.com/oD0WbZnRSQ
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) June 4, 2020
4:20 P.M. Slot machines are also back on at McCarran Airport with proper social distancing in place.
Cha-ching! 🎰 💰 Airport slots are back! Please note that not all machines will be available for play in order to promote social distancing. The LAS slots operations team will also be frequently cleaning machines and chairs for your health & safety.#AllinLAS #Welcomeback pic.twitter.com/mhwQf9ymdA
— McCarran Airport (@LASairport) June 4, 2020
1:45 P.M. The SAHARA Las Vegas welcomed back guests today as the property has increased cleaning and sensitization protocols for its reopening.
Welcome back to #SAHARALasVegas! We are excited to announce we are now open and welcoming guests with increased cleaning and sensitization protocols. For more information, visit https://t.co/ebBNb2CeR9. pic.twitter.com/vitX2Zk32S
— SAHARA Las Vegas (@SAHARALasVegas) June 4, 2020
11:33 A.M. Reporter Marissa Kynaston stops by the Flamingo, where there is now free parking, showgirls and hungry flamingos having lunch.
11:20 A.M. Reporter Kelsey McFarland goes over what's back - and what's different - in downtown Las Vegas.
11:18 A.M. Reporter Sean DeLancey has a sky view of the Strip, watching it come alive from Chopper 13.
11:07 A.M. Reporter Alicia Pattillo speaks with South Point Hotel and Casino General Manager Ryan Growney on the casino's first day back in business.
11 A.M. 13 Action News Anchor Ross DiMattei checks out how things are going at Caesars Palace, and Anchor Nina Porciuncula shares a morning an update from Bellagio.
10 A.M. Caesars Palace kicked off their reopening at 10 a.m. with a speech by Mr. Las Vegas Wayne Newton.
9:30 A.M. The Bellagio hotel-casino kicked off its reopening with a brand-new Bellagio fountain show. They have created 3 new shows to celebrate the reopening of Las Vegas. Learn more about the show here.
6:06 A.M. Sanitation is underway downtown on Fremont Street.
Another crew here sanitizing and mopping up. Just talked to a woman visiting from Colorado- she told me she’s disappointed with her experience because there are still remaining closures. She says it took her four hours to find food. pic.twitter.com/P0AFIaWvYX
— Kelsey McFarland (@KelseyMarie_TV) June 4, 2020
5:36 A.M. At 12:01 a.m. - the exact moment casinos were allowed to reopen - the Viva Vision canopy Fremont Street Experience displayed a fireworks show. As Kelsey McFarland reports, hours later, Fremont Street still has some stragglers.
12:40 A.M. The D Las Vegas was a popular spot in downtown Las Vegas as it welcomed casino-goers back after 12:01 a.m.
There were hundreds of people waiting to go inside @theDlasvegas when the doors opened for gaming at 12:01 a.m. @KTNV #ReVivaLasVegas pic.twitter.com/PQ0UfV2LwK
— Joyce Lupiani (@Joyce_Lupiani) June 4, 2020
12:30 A.M. Dealers and servers are wearing masks at the Fremont hotel-casino in downtown Las Vegas, and the property also has reminders for guests about proper social distancing.
Here’s a look inside @fremont. They have a temperature check station, hand sanitizer and free masks. All the dealers and servers are in masks. Reminders of social distancing. @FSELV @KTNV #ReVivaLasVegas. pic.twitter.com/8q9DzfdXhH
— Joyce Lupiani (@Joyce_Lupiani) June 4, 2020
12:20 A.M. The Red Rock hotel-casino is reportedly already buzzing after reopening its doors after 12:01 a.m.
Just a few minutes after reopen and @redrockcasino is buzzing with action. 3 players per blackjack table, seats eliminated between slot machines ... but business is here #RevivaLasVegas @KTNV pic.twitter.com/9l1eVGoUe5
— Jorge Andres Mondaca (@JorgeAMondaca) June 4, 2020
RELATED STORY: Red Rock Casino Resort reopens today
11:55 P.M. Downtown casinos and the Fremont Street Experience welcomed guests back late Wednesday evening and into the overnight hours.
11:25 P.M. The Golden Gate Las Vegas in downtown is open and serving frozen drinks in the Fremont Street Experience.
The @GoldenGateVegas is open tonight and there’s still dancing in the bar outside. They are also serving their famous frozen drinks. #ReVivaLasVegas @FSELV pic.twitter.com/O9ibyShhFh
— KTNV Action News (@KTNV) June 4, 2020
10:45 P.M. 13 Action News Executive Digital Producer Joyce Lupiani shared a first look of what to expect when returning to the Fremont Street Expereince in downtown Las Vegas.
First look at @FSELV. Things are a bit different. Everyone must be 21, have ID, and pass through security. #ReVivaLasVegas @KTNV pic.twitter.com/u6tvkCsCbI
— Joyce Lupiani (@Joyce_Lupiani) June 4, 2020
10 P.M. 13 Action News Digital Director Jorge Mondaca shows an inside look at Red Rock hotel-casino before it reopens at 12:01 a.m.
A few snaps from @redrockcasino where the staff is getting ready. Some cars already in parking lot, with some taking advantage of open restaurants ahead of tonight’s big gaming reopening at 12:01 a.m. @KTNV #ReVivaLasVegas pic.twitter.com/AvxVtFhFx4
— Jorge Andres Mondaca (@JorgeAMondaca) June 4, 2020
7:50 P.M. Sunset Station shared a sneak peak of its gaming floor before officially reopening to the public.
Sneak peak: New additions to our gaming floor. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y6BTP1uWHy
— Sunset Station (@SunsetStation_) June 4, 2020
7:40 P.M. 13 Action News Anchor Joe Bartels caught a few spots preparing to reopen at the D Las Vegas.
CHECK THIS OUT: dealers in position at tables at the @theDlasvegas right now. The long bar is also poppin’ @KTNV @LasVegasLocally @VitalVegas pic.twitter.com/qm4xc7lz0A
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) June 4, 2020
3:40 P.M.13 Action News Anchor Joe Bartels interviewed casino owner Derek Stevens at the D Hotel in downtown Las Vegas as guests are already checking into their rooms.
We just spoke live on @KTNV with the owner of @theDlasvegas the one and only @DerekJStevens
The hotel is open, guests are checking in and more have taken pictures with their airline boarding passes for flights paid for by Derek. WELCOME BACK TO LAS VEGAS!!! pic.twitter.com/Fw0JYWVe8z
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) June 3, 2020