Page 9 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Summer, 2021

Select operators mandate vaccinations
MISSISSIPPI — MGM Resorts International became the first casino operator in the U.S. to require salaried employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. The mandate was announced in a
letter from MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle that was sent to employees on Aug. 16. It covers more than 6,000 workers in eight states, including Mississippi’s Beau Rivage Casino Resort in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica.
Other states with MGM properties are Nevada, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York and New Jersey.
The letter states, “...MGM Resorts
is now requiring COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for all salaried employees and new hires throughout the United States. Salaried employees not working exclusively from home must be vaccinated by October 15, and all new hires, both hourly and salary, who do not exclusively work from home must provide proof of vaccination before beginning work, effective August 30.”
Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, located in D’Iberville, Mississippi, became the first casino in the state to require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when it issued a mandate in late July.
Treasure Bay security saves life
BILOXI — Quick thinking by
a Treasure Bay Casino & Hotel security team trained in emergency care helped save a woman’s life recently. While some might say she is lucky to be alive, personnel on site who are prepared for such situations improved her chances for survival.
Here is how it unfolded: On May 30, the security
shift began with
a call from slots
times before AMR arrived and went to work for the better part of an hour, stabilizing the women enough for transport to the hospital.
“All rescue personnel involved made it a point to let myself and Security Supervisor Devon Alves know that officers Gilbert and McInnis were the reason that
about a guest
who had fallen on
the second floor.
Officer Silvistre
Gilbert was first to
respond from the
team. He checked
for a pulse and
found one, however,
while he had his hand on her wrist, her pulse stopped.
He immediately called dispatch to notify American Medical Response (AMR) and started chest compressions. Officer Tonayah McInnis stepped in to begin rescue breathing. Security Lead Jeremy Woods brought the automated external defibrillator (AED).
The security team used the AED three times in an effort to revive the guest before responders from the Biloxi Fire Department arrived. Their AED shocked her heart another five
woman left this building with a
pulse and a fighting chance,” said Woods. “This was
a scary situation
that was handled professionally and decisively — right in front of her family, no less. Both officers deserve a ton of
praise for it.”
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of
the security team for what you deal with on a daily basis,” said Treasure Bay COO Susan Varnes. “But hearing of a lifesaving incident like this is beyond words.”
Varnes said proper training and
a level head helped the team in
this life-or-death situation. “They recognized the emergency and knew what to do. Kudos to Lawrence Hayes, security manager, for the training that enabled these officers to fulfill these duties.”
Officers Silvistre Gilbert and Tonayah McInnis
SUMMER 2021 MISSISSPPI GAMING NEWS 9