Tuesday June 29, 2021 | VICTORIA, BC
by Jalen Codrington | Island Social Trends | Mary P Brooke, Editor
The BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and its private-sector gambling services are gunning for the reopening of casinos and gaming centres on July 1, 2021.
As the province enters Stage 3 of reopening, casinos and nightclubs are among the few venues still boarded up. Since March 2020, all of the province’s gaming centres have been shut down under orders of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).
The criteria for moving into Step 3 was for at least 70 per cent of the 18+ population to be vaccinated with a single dose, along with lower case counts and declining COVID-19 hospitalizations. With British Columbians over age 18 achieving nearly 80% adult Dose 1 vaccine coverage (and about 30 per cent second-dose), and COVID counts continuing to decline, the province is now entering into Step 3 of its four-step restart plan.
“As gambling facilities across B.C. prepare to welcome guests back on July 1, the health and safety of our players, employees and communities are our top priority,” said Lynda Cavanaugh, Interim President and CEO of BCLC. “Together with our casino service providers and thousands of industry employees, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to provide an exceptional entertainment experience for our players when they’re ready to return.”
When casinos open their doors on Canada Day, it will be at 50 per cent capacity, with health protocols in place. BCLC also said they’ll be taking an array of precautions, including new table-game procedures, enhanced sanitation and mandatory face coverings.
The Elements Casino in View Royal will re-open. A large portion of the revenues (through the BC Lottery Corporation) go to the municipalities of View Royal and Langford.
===== LINKS:
B.C. casinos gunning for Canada Day reopening (by Jalen Codrington, Island Social Trends, May 27, 2021)
New BC Lottery Corp board chair oversees $1.3+ billion annual revenue (by Mary P Brooke, Island Social Trends, May 21, 2021)