More hand sanitizer will be available and guests will be monitored for flu-like symptoms

At Lower Mainland Casinos, slot machines and tables will be moved further away from each other starting Monday

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — B.C. casinos are remaining open amid the COVID-19 outbreak and a ban on gatherings of more than 250 people but changes to how they do things will come into effect Monday.

Matt Lee, spokesperson for BC Lottery Corporation, says regardless of the number of gamblers, a casino is not a gathering.

“We obviously are monitoring the provincial government’s social distancing recommendations in regards to gatherings of 250 people or less. It is our understanding that casinos don’t necessarily apply in that situation,” he says, adding the decision on whether or not to proceed with shows in casino theatres will lies with each establishment.

Lee says extra precautions are being put into place.

“Our casino operators, they are making operational changes at this time. That includes the reconfiguration of gambling equipment at all Lower Mainland casinos and community gaming centers. That means additional space is going to be put between table game seats and slot machines as a way to reduce player density,” he says.

These changes will come into effect Monday and could later be rolled out to other regions.

Meantime, casino employees are keeping an eye on players and urging anyone who feels ill–including staff–to make the safe bet and stay home.

“We do monitor players who may be exhibiting any of those flu like symptoms that the provincial health officer has mentioned regarding warning signs for COVID-19. Those are sort of on an ad hoc basis. If we see players that are exhibiting flu like symptoms, we do encourage them to go home. In addition, we also have messaging on all of our websites and signage at casinos to make sure players are aware of the current situation and that they consider going home if they’re feeling unwell,” Lee says.

“Casino service providers have been exceptional partners in ensuring that staff who are feeling unwell, do stay home. I know that those casino service providers have been posting regular updates in staff areas to ensure that if they’ve, for instance, gone recently to travel that they stay home,” he continues.

Extra hand sanitizer is being made available and players who want to wear a mask are being allowed to do so as long as they take it off to have their ID checked.

Because gaming involves touching cards, dice and slot machines, Lee says staff are stepping up efforts to disinfect unattended machines and surfaces.

As to whether or not profits have taken a hit, Lee says making money is not the priority.

“Our priority right now is to ensure that we’re stopping the spread of COVID-19, and doing our part to help mitigate that spread, regardless of financials.”

Casinos have been closed in Quebec but remain open in all other provinces.