Loto-Québec wants to be well prepared for any situation and protect its casino staff members and patrons frequenting the casino hotspots of Quebec province. As a result of this, the Crown corporation announced that it will lay off some 1,350 workers employed at Casino de Montreal and Salon de Jeux de Quebec effective October 1.
The unprecedented situation the world is in right now requires flexibility at all times, as well as the preparedness for quick actions if the need arises. Such is the case in the province of Quebec right now, as some of its regions will have to enter lockdown state once again. Those are the Greater Montreal area, the Capitale Nationale area in Quebec City, as well as the Chaudières-Appalaches region.
Casino de Montreal
Quebec Premier François Legault announced this decision during a conference in Montreal and made it clear that the safety of Quebec residents is of utmost importance. They should remain a priority in this dynamically changing situation, which called for the red alert announcement. Health Minister Christain Dubé and Public Health Director Dr. Horacio Arruda were also present at the press conference.
This period will have to last four weeks and results are projected to be visible by the end of the period. Bars, casinos, reception halls, theatres, libraries, and museums will all be closed for a 28-day period, as it was confirmed and this includes the two gaming hotspots overseen by Loto-Québec. Players interested in in-person gaming should also keep in mind that the Crown corporation also suspends its periphery operation.
This includes video lottery terminals in the region, network bingo gaming, and Kinzo offerings within the affected zones. For the time being, the people interested in gambling in all of its forms should focus on online gambling available across the province, as well as lottery tickets sales which also happens on a daily basis thanks to the many retail locations selling those.
More Updates
The Crown corporation has worked extensively on its online gaming platform called espacejeux.com and these efforts show, as many individuals preferred it during the spring months. Back then, in-person gaming was impossible across the province, as all four casinos and two gambling halls had to close temporarily for business. A similar situation on a smaller scale will take place over the upcoming four weeks.
Loto-Québec made it clear that its remaining brick-and-mortar properties will remain open for business and individuals could still enjoy them in a safe manner. Those are Casino de Charlevoix, Casino du Lac-Leamy, Casino de Mont-Tremblant, Salon de Jeux de Trois-Rivières, Hilton Lac-Leamy, as well as Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu. Safety and health protocols have been implemented in all of them ahead of their reopening this summer.
Loto-Québec recently made public its decision to introduce some changes to the way its casino venues and gambling halls operate on a daily basis. The changes in the working hours will make it mandatory for the gambling hotspots on a provincial level to close for business at midnight, limiting the time players spent on their premises.
