The province of Alberta wants to enhance its gaming offerings available with the reintroduction of table gaming for the first time in almost six months. This will happen on Friday with various safety protocol is implemented for the protection of both casino players and staff members. The lack of gaming revenue has taken its toll on the province budget.
It could be recalled that mid-March, all brick-and-mortar venues across Alberta had to close for business and they eyed the dynamically changing situation. Following a careful evaluation of any risk, the government made it clear that slot machines and other gaming devices across the province could relaunch operation. This happened on June 12, but while that happened table gaming remained prohibited.
Table Gaming Relaunch
Table games introduce a certain threat to the physical distance recommendations the government has recommended. People come together around the table to play card games such as blackjack, craps, poker, and so many more. Now it is time for Alberta gaming fans to explore the popular gaming offerings once again, this time in a safer manner. Local casinos such as River Cree Resort and Casino want to remain as flexible as possible.
This led to the installation of convenient plexiglass shields on the table games available on its premises. This week is about to be a special one for these venues as it will see the return of these gaming offerings potentially making the casinos even more appealing to the locals. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, said that casino venues have not been facilitating the transmission.
Such positive news allowed health specialists to research ways in which table gaming could return to the province, as the decreased gaming revenue has taken its toll on the budget. This year is expected to bring gaming revenue of only CA$500 million, instead of the CA$1.4 billion projected at the beginning of 2020.
All Safety Protocols in Place
Such a drop is expected to have its impact on a provincial level, fueling a gaping budget hole amounting to CA$24 billion. A surge of the gaming revenue could make it possible for the budget deficit to be alleviated to some extent. River Cree Chief Executive Officer Vik Mahajan recently stated that the casino location is completely ready for the official relaunch of table gaming.
Popular games to the likes of blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat are going to return. Individuals making their way into the casino venue also have to wear face masks at all times and there are strict safety protocols in place across the floor. River Cree is going to welcome more employees clocking in for work this week. Some 200 individuals take care of the table games across the casino hotspot.
They have remained home over the past nearly six months and they have been eagerly anticipating the official relaunch of table gaming in Alberta. The safety plans have been created in close collaboration with Health Canada and Alberta Health Services. In-person table gaming commences at 11 a.m. on September 4.
