Operator News
Canada – Great Canadian to begin reopening casinos in Ontario and New Brunswick
By Phil - 8 September 2020
Great Canadian will begin reopening its 11 properties on September 28, 2020 as part of Ontario’s Stage 3 framework for the reopening of its economy. As part of that framework, the Company will be adhering to provincial guidelines, which include indoor gathering limits up to a maximum of 50 guests, and will not include the operation of table games or other amenities.
In New Brunswick, the Company will be reopening its Casino New Brunswick property on September 28, 2020 as part of New Brunswick’s “COVID-19 recovery plan.” The reopening of the property will be premised upon following prescriptive operational plans and protocols developed by the Company, including reduced facility guest capacity to approximately 25 per cent, the availability of just over 50 per cent of the property’s slot machines, and the suspension of most amenities.
In Nova Scotia, where casinos have been granted the ability to reopen, the company continues to work with the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation on preparations required for the reopening of the company’s two Nova Scotia properties.
In British Columbia, Great Canadian’s properties remain closed as mandated by the provincial government. On March 16, 2020, Great Canadian suspended operations at all its properties to contribute to the containment of COVID-19.
“I’m pleased we are able to safely reopen our facilities in Ontario and New Brunswick, allowing us to bring back to work team members in each province,” stated Rod Baker, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Once open, gaming revenues in each jurisdiction will be significantly reduced due to operating restrictions,” Baker continued. “The reductions will be especially significant for our Ontario properties where, due to the 50-guest maximum restriction, we expect no material financial benefit to the Company from our 11 Ontario locations.”
“In B.C., no approval has been granted for casinos to reopen, and as such, the company will continue to manage its assets in the closed state,” Baker concluded.
