THUNDER BAY — Before Gateway Casinos moves to reopen its Thunder Bay casino, it must decide whether it makes financial sense to operate with only 50 customers at a time.
That's the maximum the Ontario government will allow gaming establishments to admit to their premises under the province's Stage 3 reopening plan.
In a statement to Tbnewswatch, a Gateway spokesperson said the company is currently evaluating "how the capacity restrictions will impact potential re-openings and our ability to bring people back to work."
Gateway operates gaming facilities across Ontario.
The spokesperson said Wednesday "Right now we have no set timeline for re-opening any Gateway locations. We will not be opening Thunder Bay this Friday."
Friday, July 17 is the date that Stage 3 takes effect.
In preparation for the anticipated clearance to reopen, the casino industry had already submitted a plan to the province that includes enhanced hygienic measures and physical distancing.
It's been reported that the industry proposed a maximum occupancy of 50 per cent, and the elimination of many playing spots to ensure distancing.
Besides imposing a cap of 50 customers, the government will require all casino customers to wear face-coverings.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation says the start dates for gaming sites will vary, "depending on a site's readiness and commercial viability to operate under the mandatory restrictions."
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which regulates casinos, must review operators' safety plans before they can reopen.
An AGCO spokesperson told Tbnewswatch Wednesday that casinos will then have "the flexibility to reopen based on what's right for their business but may choose to remain closed for other reasons."
Before it closed down in mid-March, Gateway's Thunder Bay casino employed more than 140 workers.
