Canada: Québec casinos reopen with strict rules in place

Loto-Québec, a government corporation whose mandate is to operate games of chance in the province, announced on Wednesday significant restrictions for the reopening of casinos, along with sweeping layoffs.

 Loto-Québec is laying off 2,250 employees and introducing a wage and hiring freeze due to a drop in revenue related to the pandemic, CBC Canada reports. 

Casinos in Quebec have been closed since March but many are scheduled to reopen in July, with significant restrictions.

Under the new rules, there will be a reduced number of players allowed to sit at gaming tables and protective panels will be set up between the dealer and players.

Gamblers will be given rubber-tipped pens to avoid touching slot machines and there will be "no handling of cards or chips by the customer."

Masks will be mandatory for all clients and employees. Only 250 people will be allowed inside the smaller facilities at one time.

Larger casinos, like Lac-Leamy Casino and the Montreal Casino will be able to accommodate 1,000 and 1,500 people respectively, as long as they are contained in different "sectors."

Opening hours will be reduced and extra cleaning measures will be put in place, including the cleaning of gaming machines between customers. Bars and show halls will remain closed.

According to a Loto-Québec news release, the layoffs are to take effect July 21.

Dates for reopening:

• July 13 - Hilton Lac-Leamy.
• July 16 - Casino de Charlevoix, Casino de Mont-Tremblant, Salon de jeux de Québec, Salon de jeux de Trois-Rivières.
• July 23 - Casino du Lac-Leamy.
• August 3 - Casino de Montréal.