Casinos in Australia and New Zealand are resisting calls to shut down their operations to deal with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, opting instead for ‘social distancing’ policies and enhanced disinfecting programs.

On Thursday, Aussie casino operator Crown Resorts announced that it would tighten its restriction on the number of patrons allowed in individual food & beverage, banqueting and conference facilities at its Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth casinos from 450 to 100. Crown said the change was made following consultation with the state governments in Victoria and Western Australia.

Crown said all other previously announced coronavirus-related measures — deactivating every second gaming machine and electronic table game; enforcing distancing at seated table games, along with a ban on standing players; and restricting stand-up table games to five players apiece — would remain in place.

Crown is also providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer to staff and customers, while engaging in more frequent and strengthened cleaning measures. But Crown’s insistence on remaining open, while casinos in other markets have closed their doors, has prompted some local wags to joke that state governments have designated Crown a ‘provider of essential services.’