Casino Rama has been closed down since March 2020 due to the unprecedented circumstances that have occurred over the course of the last 12 or more months. But there is no news about any recent reopening of the venue, despite many other gaming properties being reopened in Ontario. On a brighter note, there is still some exciting news regarding the future of the casino.
Due to being non-operational for almost a year, Gateway Casinos and Entertainment is taking advantage of the temporal closure of the gambling entity and has decided to revamp the casino’s gaming floor. According to union information around 400 slot machines and 20 table games will be removed in order to make way for new equipment and offerings.
Redesign
The overseeing gambling company most recently informed staff of the upcoming refreshment of the casino’s gaming floor. Slot machines and table games will be a subject of rearrangements as well as an addition to new products. This will be in order to cope with the volumes of guests prior to the casino’s shut down in March 2020.
President of Unifor Local 1090 union, Corey Dalton, stated that the changes will include the removal of almost 400 slot machines and 20 table games. He also reassured that despite the reduction of equipment, staff members will not be affected by the changes, meaning that no staff will be laid off. There are currently 1050 union members employed by the casino who are expected to keep their positions.
Rob Mitchell, director of communications and public affairs for the gambling leader addressed the news by stating that the union is more than aware of the proposed reconfiguration and it is taking part in the process. Mr. Mitchell believes this change will allow the gaming venue to further enhance player experience amidst the competitive gaming scenery. The new layout will provide players with easier access to their desirable games and easier navigation through the floor.
Representor of Unifor Tshweu Moleme said that the union is working hard towards negotiating a reopening date for the casino, in order to workers to return to their jobs in these trying times. According to him, the union is also fighting for full benefits coverage of the workers until the end of March, and partial benefits will be covered to June 30, 2021
More Relaunches
The provincial government’s recent update regarding the lockdown restrictions saw some reopenings of businesses in Ontario. Several of the gaming leader’s casinos in the region will be relaunching operations in the region. Northern Ontario: Gateway Casinos Sudbury, Gateway Casinos Sault Ste. Marie, and Gateway Casinos Thunder Bay. Gateway Casinos Sudbury officially restarted working operations on February 16, 2021, but under strict mandatory safety measures.
Casino New Brunswick
Another one of the corporation’s casino venues opened but this time in New Brunswick. The gaming property became operational earlier in the month on February 12. Visitors of the premises must comply with the government’s health and safety measures of wearing a protective mask and keeping social distance. There is also a player limit set to 50 at a time.
Source: Dawson, Dave “Casino Rama gaming floor getting ‘refresh,’ but no timeline yet for reopening” Barrie Today, February 23, 2021
