Land-based casinos in Ontario set to reopen by the end of January 2022

Ontario province announced last Friday that it will be relaxing the public health and safety protocols by the end of this month, which is also good news to gamblers. Some gaming operators such as Gateway Casinos & Entertainment have already taken steps to prepare their reopening in the province by 31st of January.

As the new variant of covid-19 has shown up, in order to stop the spread of the pandemic on the 5th of January Ontario has shut down the casino establishments together with other indoor entertainment venues in the province. Initially the reopening was set to 26th of January, 2022, which was changed now to the 31st of the month.

After the announcement from the Provincial Government of Ontario, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment reported that their Gateway Casinos Sault Ste. Marie will commence its operations on 31st of January.

The casinos will have a thorough cleaning and sanitization, and they will work with a 50% capacity of the maximum allowed people. Players who would like to visit the land-based casino will need to comply certain health and safety protocols. Patrons will need to wear a protective face mask, and at the entrance everyone will be asked to present a vaccination certificate with a QR code. Employees and visitors will be separated with plexiglass barriers.

Niagara Casinos will also reopen at 50% capacity its Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara starting from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022 with the above mentioned covid protocols. The Fallsview Casino Resort will reopen its doors at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 30, 2022, and the casino property from the 31st will work 24/7 with its amenities including the hotel, some dining venues, gaming floor, slots, electronic and regular table games. According to the company Casino Niagara will operate with the same opening hours and will offer similar services, however poker remains paused for the time being.