At a press conference on Thursday, the Ontario government unveiled its intentions for casino reopenings and altered capacity limitations for sports venues.
On Jan. 31, casinos will be allowed to reopen at 50% full, while sports venues in the province will be allowed to increase capacity to 50% on Feb. 21. By March 14, the government intends to lift all capacity restrictions from casinos and sports stadiums.
In order to attend casinos and sporting venues in the province, proof of COVID-19 vaccination and masks will still be required, and no expiration date for the heightened precautions has been set. It’s also unclear whether fans will be able to bring food and beverages into the stadium whenever it reopens to the public.
On Jan. 5, Ontario Premier Doug Ford ordered the shutdown of all casinos in the province, claiming an increase in COVID cases across the province as the reason. Due to the pandemic, Ontario’s casinos have been closed and restricted on a rolling basis since March 2020, and limits were ultimately eased for the first time in almost a year in late October, when infections in the region reduced dramatically. As illnesses resurfaced, the Ontario government reduced casino public capacity to 50% on Dec. 18, before mandating closures in early January.
According to the Canadian Gaming Association, Canada has 114 casinos, 200 permanent bingo halls, and community gaming facilities, employing around 183,000 people. Casino Rama, Fallsview Casino Resort, Caesars Windsor, and Woodbine Casino are some of the more well-known casinos in Ontario.
Sports Teams in Ontario are still rearranging their schedules
The COVID regulations in Ontario have wrecked havoc on the professional teams’ schedules. Starting Dec. 31, the government limited capacity at large indoor events to the lesser of 50% or 1,000 people. As a result, numerous home games for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators have been postponed until later dates, when more fans may be able to attend.
Before March 14, the Senators have 15 home games, while the Leafs have 10. The Heritage Classic, an outdoor game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres in Hamilton, Ontario, is scheduled for March 13, one day before the government plans to relax all restrictions. It’s unclear whether the limitations will be eased in time for the big NHL game, or whether an exemption will be granted.
The Toronto Raptors, as well as other professional and amateur sports organizations across the country, have been impacted by the newest wave of limitations. There are seven more home games on the NBA team’s schedule that will be played without spectators.
On Thursday, Ontario recorded 4,061 COVID hospitalizations, with 594 patients admitted to intensive care units. After reviewing the latest COVID-19 numbers in the country, Ontario’s Health Minister, Christine Elliott, remarked earlier this week that there are now “glimmers of hope.” Case counts are projected to peak in the coming weeks.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.