Canada: London's Gateway casino resumes operations

Gateway has officially reopened most of its properties in Canada after being shut down in March at the outset of the pandemic. The casino operator has now announced that operations will resume at Gateway Casino London, in Ontario.

Under COVID-19 protocols, the casino is only allowed 50 people inside at a time, CTV News reports. Moreover, it is operating by reservation or invitation only.

"Our objective is to show that we can operate safely," said Gateway Communications Director Rob Mitchell. "We can still provide an enjoyable experience. And hopefully, the public health officials will look at what we’re doing and tell us we can expand, and we can have more people at our site."

The reopening is for slot machines only, while gaming tables remain out of commission. It comes on the same day that casinos in COVID-19 hot-spots of Toronto, Peel, and Ottawa have been ordered to shut down.

The London casino operator remains undaunted. "Most of the communities where we operate, there have been very few instances of covid infections," said Mitchell. "I don’t think we need to be as concerned. We’re not Toronto, we’re not Ottawa, and we’re not Peel."

About 300 people work at the London site. Mitchell said the majority of the workforce has returned.