After a second period of forced closings due to the increase in cases of COVID-19, casinos in France are expected to reopen their doors from December 15th, according to information released by the ‘Casinos de France’ union.
France has been in its second national blockade since October 30, during which only essential stores were allowed to remain open. Gambling facilities such as casinos, bookmakers and bingo halls have been forced to suspend their activities and remain closed.
France casinos will have new security protocol
The reopening process will be carried out using a health and safety protocol. Casinos de France said that casinos are prepared to go “even further in protecting customers and employees” than after the first quarantine.
Casinos will implement capacity restrictions and require mandatory registration to enable case traceability, among other measures. Casinos de France detailed the negative impact of closing periods on French industry, which represents 15,000 direct jobs and 45,000 indirect jobs.
The organization also pointed out that the blockade caused an increase in the use of unlicensed online operators, leaving vulnerable customers without the proper protection from the responsible gaming regulations.
Recently, France Galop predicted that a continuous closure would cost the French horse racing segment about € 30 million.
The horse racing regulator attributed this loss to the closing of bookmakers, although the races continued during the second moment of suspension of activities in France.
Effects of coronavirus in France
France has already registered 2.1 million positive cases of the new coronavirus with more than 51 thousand deaths. Worldwide, cases have passed the 61 million mark with 1.4 million deaths
