Quebec seems to be heading in the right direction of recovery from the unprecedented situation as the province eases restrictions. Following the news, Loto-Québec has announced that it will be starting to gradually reopen its gaming properties in the provinces. The Crown will imminently begin relaunching its four casinos and Salon de jeux de Québec, along with its video lottery terminals in bars.
As an effect of the unprecedented situation gaming properties in Quebec have been closed down for quite some time now. The wait is almost over as this month, gambling enthusiasts from the province will be able to return to in-person gambling, as the Crown corporation revealed its reopening plan yesterday on June 9.
Slowly Reopening
Despite the easing of lockdown restrictions in the province, the Crown corporation puts customers’ and staff members’ health and safety in the first place. That is why the company will be slowly reopening its properties to ensure that all safety protocols are in place. The Crown’s Bingo and Kinzo halls will be relaunching operations just a few days from now on June 14.
As the Crown previously informed Salon de jeux de Trois-Rivières will also be reopening on June 14. Casino de Charlevoix, Casino de Mont-Tremblant, and Salon de jeux de Québec will be officially reopened for guests on June 21. Casino du Lac-Leamy and Hilton Lac-Leamy are set for a June 23 reopening. Casino de Montréal will restart working hours at a later date on June 30.
The Crown agency has also provided more information on how the gaming venues will operate under the health and safety protocols. The properties will be working for shorter hours compared to their regular schedules. Casino de Montréal and Casino du Lac-Leamy will be functional under a player limit set at 250 individuals at a time.
Staff members will ensure that all sites are thoroughly disinfected and that all gaming machines will also be cleaned after a patron stops using them. In addition to that, all customers of the properties and all employees are required to wear a face mask or face covering. There will be social distancing signs, and at the current time, there will be no live performances.
Fiscal Stats
Recently the Crown Corporation revealed its financial results for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The numbers are rather worrying as the company saw a huge dip in revenue for the previous year. The explanation for the decrease is that the corporation had to close down its casino properties in the province for a huge portion of 2020. Due to the closure, the Crown managed to generate only a third of its 2019-20 FY revenue.
End of an Era
This summer the Crown company will be officially parting ways with its long-term President and CEO Lynne Roiter. She announced her retirement earlier this year, thus ending her 35 years at the corporation. The Crown will have to pay Ms. Roiter a significant sum for her retirement severance payment in a total of CA$430,000. The president stepped down from the position on May 31.
Source: “Loto-Québec announces that it will gradually be resuming many of its commercial activities”, Yahoo Finance, June 9, 2021
