Dynamic, automatic establishment of social distancing on electronic gaming machines (EGMs). An electronic notice of a game play triggering event that takes place at a first EGM is sent to a control system, and in response to receiving the electronic notice, the control system automatically temporarily deactivates other EGMs that are within a first deactivation zone adjacent to the first EGM. Thereafter, at cessation of game play on the first EGM, the deactivated EGMs are reactivated by the control system. The first EGM may optionally be deactivated to allow the first EGM to be cleaned before the first EGM is activated and made available for additional game play.