Mohegan Gaming is currently mulling over its reopening plan when it comes to the casino resorts it oversees in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Casino Niagara and the Fallsview Casino are two of the hotspots in the region and they have been closed over the past more than ten weeks. The tribal casino operator is working on the plan for their successful reopening.
Niagara Falls, Ontario was among the popular tourist destinations experiencing quite the hit as a result of the unprecedented situation around the globe and across Canada. Their casino resorts closed for business and remained closed over the past ten weeks. As the United States work on their business reopening plans, Canada and Ontario, in particular, are also weighing their options.
A sign in front of Casino Rama in Orilia Ont., on January 14, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/J.P. Moczulski One popular casino chain is making a comeback as Casino Rama announced that it’s close. Casinos in Ontario are finally set to reopen While the majority of businesses have been operational throughout the province since Ontario first entered Stage 3 of reopening earlier this summer, one. Ontario Casino Host Towns Bag Hefty Gaming Revenue Allocations; In the meantime, Great Blue Heron Casino and Casino Ajax are also preparing for the eventual reopening. The Durham region might be among the first to witness in-person casino gaming, as it was recently confirmed by the Ontario.
Mohegan Gaming is seeking ways in which it could reopen its gaming facilities in a safe way and protect both casino staff members and players making their way there. This could happen by following closely all health recommendations coming from Ontario’s government. The tribal casino operator recently made it clear that the government has completed the Ontario Gaming Industry Health and Safety Guidelines.
This would pave the way for the eventual safe reopening of casino locations which is expected to take place this summer. Every casino location comes with its unique layout which would mandate a special approach to its reopening. Fallsview Casino’s reopening committee is preparing to study the safety guidelines once they become public and act accordingly. Soon after that, it would have to devise its plan for action.
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is expected to review the plan once it is ready and give its approval for the official reopening of the casino hotspot. Mohegan Gaming made it clear that the casino venues would like to implement various measures promoting physical distancing. This includes floor markings for keeping distance, as well as plexiglass barriers for the gaming tables.
Some of those measures have already been tested by some casino locations in the United States. They could soon be introduced across Canadian casino venues, as players want to return to the brick-and-mortar gaming. At the moment, online gaming and lottery ticket purchases remain the sole legal gambling offerings available. Individuals would also have to wear face masks and use the sanitation stations across the casino floors.
In the meantime, Great Blue Heron Casino and Casino Ajax are also preparing for the eventual reopening. The Durham region might be among the first to witness in-person casino gaming, as it was recently confirmed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. A total of 27 casino locations across the province would have to reopen with the mandatory safety measures and restrictions implemented.
Tony Bitonti, Spokesperson for the Crown corporation stated they are working with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the casino operators. Corey Dalton, President of Unifor Local 1090, also made it clear that unionized casino workers will have their health protected at all costs, as this is one of the main concerns right now. Employees are eager to get back to work in the upcoming months.
Ontario’s casinos have been hard-hit by COVID-19.
“Like all businesses in Ontario and across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted OLG,” said spokesperson Rui Brum, noting that the casinos closed March 16, “which has reduced our revenue streams by more than half.”
OLG continued to sell lottery tickets, both online and through retail outlets, but the casinos have remained closed — with a 100 per cent decline in revenues, both for the operators and for their host communities.
Back in July, Brum noted, “Casinos will reopen only when it is permitted by the province, and the service providers responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 27 casinos across Ontario are ready to open and operate in a manner that complies with appropriate public health and safety protocols.”
That day has now come for Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Ltd., a company that operates 26 gaming properties in British Columbia and Ontario, including Georgian Downs in Innisfil.
This week, a spokesperson announced that Gateway has 'started to prepare for the reopening of gaming operations at most of our locations in Ontario.'
Woodstock, Clinton and Hanover casinos will reopen on Oct. 8; other sites, including Innisfil, will reopen on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Returning patrons will discover a very different environment. The province has mandated a maximum of only 50 guests inside at any one time, and only the slot machines will be in operation. Table games, and most non-gaming amenities, will remain closed.
Attendance will be by invitation and reservation only, initially. My Club Rewards members will be the first invited back, contacted by email with information on how to make reservations.
Guests will be asked to book their play time online, then check-in when they arrive and wait in the parking lot, in their vehicles, until staff have prepared for their entry, following stepped-up cleaning and safety protocols.
'This system will allow our staff to properly prepare the gaming floor for our guests, and ensure there is no congestion at the entrance as they wait to enter,' explained Tony Santo, CEO at Gateway Casinos.
Staff will be required to wear face coverings, plexiglass barriers have been installed at locations that include point-of-sale desks and guest services, and seating has been reduced in restaurants and bars.
Guests will be asked to maintain social distancing and wear a face covering, in accordance with local and provincial health regulations, although they will be required to remove their face masks briefly, for identification purposes. Sanitizer and handwashing stations will be available.
'Things may look and feel a little different around the property, but we remain committed to making your visit enjoyable,' Santo said.
Gateway Casinos Innisfil will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., as of Oct. 10. For more information, click here.
'We look forward to fully reopening and welcoming more of our guests back in future as capacities are increased and restrictions are lifted,' Santo said.