Grand Sierra Resort, Sahara Las Vegas to be fined $75K for COVID-19 violations

Grand Sierra Resort and Sahara Las Vegas will pay a $75,000 fine for COVID-19 violations, according to documents filed with Nevada gaming regulators. 

The Reno and Las Vegas resorts, both owned by the Meruelo Group, “do not admit nor deny" allegations in two complaints regulators filed against them in August, according to the settlement. However, operators “believe the (Nevada Gaming Commission) could meet its burden of proof" if the matters reached evidentiary hearings. The Nevada Gaming Commission was expected to address the settlement Thursday, Reno Gazette-Journal reports.

The resorts have acknowledged and corrected conditions detailed in the complaints, according to a Meruelo Group statement. "Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our guests and team members and we will continue to work cooperatively with government agencies to meet these high standards and ensure compliance across our resorts," the statement said.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board filed a complaint against Sahara Las Vegas in August, signaling the first time a property on The Strip has faced such regulatory backlash for failing to follow Nevada’s COVID-19 safety regulations. The complaint against Sahara alleged the resort hosted a July 23 lunch event attended by an estimated 135 people. Nevada’s coronavirus mandates only allow gatherings with a maximum of 50 people. A separate count alleged the hotel-casino allowed casino gamblers to break social distancing rules at craps and blackjack tables on June 16.

In an Aug. 7 complaint, Nevada regulators said gaming agents witnessed dozens of maskless Grand Sierra visitors inside the hotel-casino. Resort employees, the complaint said, did not ask those customers to wear masks.