“Shut up, and put your money where your mouth is. That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas.”
That is the chorus in Katy Perry’s “Waking Up In Vegas,” a song that boomed out of the speakers as guests waited for the Flamingo to open its doors Thursday morning. When the chains came off the doors around 9:36 a.m., guests started trickling into the front entrance soon after.
It wasn’t long before the first craps table filled up. The table’s energy was vibrant, despite a lack of six-foot social distancing at the table. As a player throws five crispy blue-note Benjamin Franklins on the table, he’s greeted with an “All you California guys are out here,” by another player.
His response? “We were open first,” which was followed by a big laugh between the two men. A playful, humanizing interaction suggesting what many consider Las Vegas to be about: enjoying yourself.
The new normal, filled with extra safety precautions, was visible. Slot machine sanitizing wipes placed at each slot station, dealers seen patting-off sanitized chips and employees readjusting their masks.
Despite these heightened precautions, some guests felt comfortable without a mask. When offered masks from employees at the check-in line, some guests replied with an emphatic “sure,” suggesting that they may have gone their stay without wearing one.
The excitement around the check-in line seemed indicative of guests’ willingness to return. When asked about his decision to show up on the Flamingo’s reopening day, Mario Rodriguez, a visitor from California, said: “We wanted to see what the vibe was like. Plus, my family had the itch to gamble.”
With it being June, it wouldn’t of been a summer in Vegas without stopping by the pool. The staff was ready to go for their opening day. At this moment they’re expecting a busy weekend.
Ultimately, the optimism surrounding today’s reopening was summed up by Candy Chu, a resident Las Vegas resident.
“Were not going anywhere,” she said. “I’ve been here my whole life and I know we’re going to come back stronger.”
Welcome back, Vegas. We missed you.