British Columbia is on its way back to normality and the province is about to restart many business enterprises including casino properties. In light of the lockdown rules being lifted the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation has most recently informed that it will be restarting its premium casino properties in the province.
Gambling fans and casino workers had to endure 15 long months of gaming properties being closed down. All casinos in the province were closed down in March 2020, with the beginning of the unprecedented situation, and due to the strict health and safety measures, they are allowed to restart operations just now.
Welcoming Guests Back
Yesterday on June 29, 2021, the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation has announced that its B.C. gaming properties will be recommencing operation shortly. Starting from Thursday, July 1, 2021, the company will reopen the following properties: River Rock Casino Resort, Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, Elements Casino Victoria, Elements Casino Surrey, Casino Nanaimo, Elements Casino Chilliwack, Hastings Racecourse, Chances Maple Ridge, and Chances Dawson Creek.
However, the company informs that the restarted properties will be operated under a reduced capacity and health and safety protocols in order to contain the spread of the dangerous virus. Currently, slot machine offerings and live table games will be decreased in volume in order to comply with the social distancing rules. Food and beverage amenities will also be limited.
Terrance Doyle, the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer stated that the property reopening in British Columbia is an exciting development for the company and its recovery from the unprecedented situation of 2020. Mr. Doyle said that due to the reopenings over 1,000 of the company’s workers will be able to return to work and the corporation will be able to use the revenue for the province.
Great Canadian Gaming Corporation has been founded in 1982, and its headquarters is situated in Ontario. The company oversees 26 gaming, entertainment, and hospitality facilities in B.C., Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. With its PROUD program, the company is able to help out to over 1,400 charitable and non-profit organizations across the country.
Controversial Contract Situation
Lately, the gambling conglomerate managed to get itself in an extremely controversial situation as staff members from its B.C. Casino Nanaimo have taken it to court. Former workers from the casino have filed individual class-action lawsuits against the corporation for wrongful dismissal during the lockdown restrictions in the province. Employees also claim that some of their benefits were cut off and they were not able to receive banked vacation payments.
Vaccine Queue Jumping
However, this is not the first time that the gaming corporation has got itself into the headline for controversy. Back in January, while serving as CEO Rod Baker and his wife traveled on a chartered plane to the small town of Beaver Creek in Yukon. The couple presented themselves as local essential workers in order to receive the vaccine earlier than others, which enraged the local population.
Source: “Great Canadian Gaming Announces the Reopening of the Company’s British Columbia Properties”, Cision, June 29, 2021
