Similarly, to other Canadian jurisdictions, Ontario could also see the return of in-person gaming. Elements Casino Brantford is already making preparations to reopen, as the gaming properties are on course to reopen as early as July 26. The casino overseen by the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, reported that core workers have already returned to their positions at the facility.
Casinos in Ontario have been closed down since the end of March this year after the provincial government announced a new stay-at-home order. According to the province’s reopening plan, if there are no further complications surrounding the unprecedented situation, casino properties will be able to reopen from July 26 as the province will then should enter Stage 3 of the reopening plan.
Potential July Reopening
Executive vice president of stakeholders relations and responsible gambling for the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, Chuck Keeling, shared some details about the scheduled reopening. He revealed that some core employees at the casino have already returned to their positions and have started to prepare the venue for its imminent restart this July.
The spokesperson has also said that the July 26 reopening could be a subject of change and it can be postponed by a few days. He also stated that the company has not received official confirmation yet from the government on the exact date, and the company and staff are excited to finally return to work in the coming month.
In addition to that, Mr. Keeling noted that returning workers will have to undergo refresher training, and will be familiarized with the new health and safety provisions. He said that the casino has already had signs and barriers installed. He also explained that provided that table games return, players and dealers will be then separated by plexiglass barriers.
The company’s casino property in Brantford had to first close doors in March 2020, after the beginning of the unprecedented situation. Then, the facility was relaunched in September 2020, with only slot games available. Table games and food amenities remained suspended. The venue was closed again in December, reopened in February 2021, and shut down again in March.
Revenue Drop
Due to the suspension of operations of Elements Casino Brantford, many local charities have also felt the financial impact of the unprecedented situation. In normal conditions the property manages to provide over CA$5 million annually for the organizations in need, however, for 2021, the casino generated just CA$161,000. For the last year, the city has received CA$1.2 million in revenue share, leading to limited funds being provided for the Brant Community Foundation.
B.C. Reopening
Besides, its Ontario properties, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation also oversees casinos in B.C., Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Most recently the gaming conglomerate was allowed to reopen its facilities in B.C. Starting from July 1, the company’s 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 are now welcoming guests.
Source: Ruby, Michelle “Elements Casino prepares for reopening”, The Expositor, July 5, 2021
