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The pent-up drive for gambling found its release as casinos across the city reopened on Thursday for the first time in 78 days. Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered all nonessential businesses to close in March to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and allowed them to finally reopen on June 4.
The D Las Vegas and Golden Gate in Downtown Las Vegas reopened their doors at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday with customers ready to have a drink and place their bets.
“As with the rest of the world, the past few months have presented our city with an unprecedented challenge, and our team has worked around the clock to bring back the Vegas experience our visitors know and love,” says Derek Stevens, the CEO and owner of the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate, who gave away 2,000 one-way flights to Las Vegas to give tourism an early boost. “We are excited to get our employees back to work and to welcome guests to the entertainment capital of the world.”
The casinos that sit on the Fremont Street Experience brought back Longbar at the D Las Vegas with its tabletop blackjack, as well as BarCanada, a sports bar ode to hockey. Coney Dog at American Coney Island, D Grill, and steaks and seafood at Andiamo Italian Steakhouse also reopened.
At the Golden Gate, which originally opened in 1906, OneBar and Bar Prohibition reopened as well.
Here’s a look at the scene.
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• Downtown Casinos D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Reopen on the Fremont Street Experience on June 4 [ELV]
• How Coronavirus Is Affecting Las Vegas Food and Restaurants [ELV]