Casinos are a major center for local entertainment in South Florida. We are home to several casinos, the most prominent is Seminole Hard Rock with its newly finished hotel shaped like a guitar.
Locally, Seminole Casino at Coconut Creek has been an entertainment center off 441 and Sample Road. When I heard it was reopening, I felt it was worth checking out what the New Normal of the South Florida casino looks like.
As you can see, the new entrance routes you to a thermal scanner, where your temperature is monitored.
For slot machine players, you will find every other seat disabled to maintain the social distance while a crew of cleaning staff regularly cleans the area.
If you are looking to play a table game, the dealer will welcome you to a private plexiglass booth with a squirt of hand sanitizer. Then when you leave, a staff member will be immediately wiping down your former play area.
According to the hotel/casino, the air is constantly purified and disinfected via their Atmos™ bipolar ionization system. Combined with 50% capacity, it appears the Seminole Casino is trying their best to minimize all risk for customers.
Masks are mandatory and will be provided by staff if you don’t have one. Dealers will remind you if you are not covering your face during play.
For elderly customers, one challenge you should prepare for is more walking. Staff will be directing you through a predefined path through the building, and to the cashier. So expect to walk more in an attempt to maintain social distance.
The atmosphere is no different than pre-pandemic with the noises from brand new slot machines drawing you to their giant displays. Yet, every time you sit down at a table in your own private booth, you are reminded, this is the New Normal for the next while.