Laughlin info

With cases in Nevada skyrocketing, there's a pretty good chance that casinos will be shut down altogether soon--once again.

Really, the weather will be awful--this is like planning a trip to Fairbanks in January--and even if the casinos are still open, the experience will be so diminished that it won't be worth it even if it IS cheap.

Another thing to consider---Nevada casino patrons are generally NOT wearing masks OR observing social distancing--and reports are that casinos aren't enforcing those guidelines. Thus, visiting a casino now presents a lovely opportunity to get sick. Why risk it?

If you MUST have your gambling fix, you might research which casinos in other locations actually are practicing and enforcing social distancing measures. Almost any place in the country would be more pleasant this time of year. If I were contemplating a gambling vacation, I'd consider casinos in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. Also, Harrah's has properties all over the country, so maybe you could transfer your freebies to a better Harrah's location.

I was in Vegas for nine days June 20-29th..  At first, mask usage was a mixed bag - maybe as low as 5% at Cosmo and as much as 80% at Wynn.  But after the governor's executive order, mask usage was actually enforced, and common-place.

And we've been tested and neither have COVID-19.  If you want to go, head on out there and be cautious/careful. 

thanks again for the info. i'll report back when done, and try to stay as safe as possible.  like i said before i think my risks are higher at the WalMart.  

Also consider:

1. Nevada casinos are NOT prohibiting smoking; not are they policing people who sit at the machines, masks off, and puff away. The coronavirus can be carried hundreds of yards by cigarette smoke, and lingers in the air much longer that way than by exhaled droplets.

2. Clark County (which is Laughlin and Las Vegas) is experiencing a record CoVid-19 outbreak. It's roughly two weeks after the Fourth of July weekend. This proves that visitation is dangerous, especially now.

3. Casino employees are being forced to come to work, even though doing so puts their lives at risk. Do you really want to support that?

Well that was interesting. The facts are that it was the strangest visit i've had litterally anywhere. The flight was very good with masks required at the airport and on the flight. The flight was one of the best things about the trip. Swift Air was the carrier. Kudos.  At Harrah's the staff was ready and told us we wouldn't have "normal" services like daily room service. They also had a notice ready telling us what was open and what wasn't.  Be aware that Beach cafe had service but not always full dine in service, Burrito Boracho owned by Guy Fierri was closed, the Smashburger, Pin UP pizza, Cinnabon,and a fruit place open. The price of food seemed a lot higher than i remember but then what choice do you have. There is no other nearby casino especially wih the shortage of taxi service prior to 9 am or after 9 pm.  No pun intended but the taxi service is taxed, sometimes only one car available for hours. NO UBER.  So water taxi at $5 a head per trip (they discontinued the all day pass $20) so the expense to eat was there.  

The Cleanest casino award goes to Pioneer Casino, constantly being wiped down everywhere, slot machines, ATM's, railings, touchable surfaces. They even place placcards on the screens asking you to discard them when you use them. 

Rules for table games are all over the place. Golden Nugget told us we couldn't set the dice, just pick them up and throw or you couldn't play. I walked away and never went back. Casino's still have smokers, and depending where you go the mask order is pretty much adhered to unless you smoke. Clear shields were allowed in place of masks and those were a joke. What did worry me is the kids, especially on Sunday night and Monday. We felt really uncomfortable at the Aquarius because of the young crowds, inlcuding very young kids. Totally strange that parents would subject the kids, but then it was pretty much the same at the beaches. Clustering. Big Time. 

Even though the casinos require masks and social distancing i witnessed people moving chairs from slot machines over to one slot and "team up" then not return the chair.  Not once during my stay did i see any casino employee tell the duo's to not put chairs together. they did however swoop down on you if you were drinking so ask for a straw. 

The table games do not open up until after 10 am at Harrah's, and in some casinos they were not open at all. Again there is poor distancing around the crap tables. 

I don't agree that you shouldn't go, but go prepared and protected as much as possible. Count on adding $$$ for taxi and water taxi.  Weheard a lot of complaints on getting rental cars and experienced problems getting through to them,  we dropped the idea on day two.

And take the London Bridge Red Jet Boat, great way for some fresh air, fast ride, beautiful scenry, interesting sights. Lake Havasu enforced masks at the stores and the restaurants. be aware not all are open. 

Again perhaps not the BEST experience but we enjoyed it.  We agreed that with the younger crowds we'd rather do Vegas. Easier to navigate  and more choices apparently. 

Was the buffet at Harrah's open?  Did you get the "goodie bag" gift in your room the second night, as before?  Thanks.

Thanks for the TR.

Good report on what to expect.  Thanks

Thanks for the TR. Sounds like I thought it would be--less fun, less to do, harder to get around, and more expensive than before.

Was it insanely hot?

Kevin it was hot.  111 F when we arrived Sunday afternoon.  109-113 the rest of the stay.  Casinos andhotels cool, room was trying to stay cool and for the most part it was. Walking the river walk was a burner. I will say this, just like Phoneix the heat does not go away at night. try to get a room facing the river. That way you get the morning sun not the afternoon blast.