Ontario Gov. Announces Casino, Sportsbetting Venue Reopenings

At a press conference on Thursday, the Ontario government unveiled its intentions for casino reopenings and altered capacity limitations for sports venues.

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

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.

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.

Jenny Tang

An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.