Ontario is now ready to enter Stage 3 of the economic recovery plan, and casinos can now relaunch operations too. Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara in the province will now officially reopen doors for patrons after being closed down since March 2020. The grand reopening will be on July 23, at 10 a.m., both properties are set to host preliminary exclusive events on July 21 and 22.
Both of the Niagara casino properties have been closed down since March 2020 after the first wave of the unprecedented situation. However, neither of the casinos reopened later when the province allowed gaming venues to reopen at a limited capacity of 50 individuals. Management deemed that the limit of players would not be sustainable due to their usual volume of operations.
Closing to a Return
In a recent statement, Niagara Casinos President Richard Taylor stated that the company is eager to welcome back its patrons and associates, however, health and safety will remain as a top priority. Mr. Taylor has also thanked everyone for their sacrifices and efforts during the last 16 months of making sure that the casinos can reopen safely on July 23.
Both of the venues will now operate under a very specific and strict set of rules to prevent the spread of the virus. Guests will be required to use momentum cards to enter the premises, for contact-tracing purposes. Face masks will be mandatory for both customers and staff. Also, they must maintain a physical distance of at least 2 meters or 6 and a half feet between them.
Additional measures taken by the casinos will be to provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes for all patrons. There will be also physical barriers installed where it is possible to separate players and personnel. Employees will be often checked for higher temperature levels and they will receive special training for the new rules and conditions.
Fallsview Casino Resort will operate 24/7, and it will offer hospitality, gaming floor, slots, electronic table games, select dining establishments, the parking garage, and Galleria shops and dining services. Casino Niagara will be reopening from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. every day and it will provide slots, electronic table games, Perks Café, and the Chill Bar. The poker room and table games will not be available yet.
Safety Plan
In order to prepare for life with the unprecedented situation, both casino properties have made significant efforts into providing the safest possible environment for gambling. The owner of the properties Niagara Casinos has poured CA$1 million into the Safety plan and protocols at the facilities. Also, in the summer the company has been in close cooperation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams. However, the reopening was delayed.
Local Contribution
In normal circumstances, Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview Casino have an enormous contribution to the local economy and provide plenty of tax revenue to the budget. According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation from July 1, to September 30, 2019, both casinos were able to accumulate over CA$6,057,544 as allocation to the local’s coffers.
Source: “Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara to reopen July 23”, Niagara Frontier Publications, July 13, 2021
