UNIFOR calls for reopening of casinos and gaming centres in British Columbia

Chances in Prince Rupert has not seen customers
 since the facility was closed owing to provincial
COVID measures back in March. 

A major Canadian union has called on the province of British Columbia to move forward with the loosening of COVID related measures that have left BC casinos and gaming centres closed since March.

Making note of the lifting of some of the past reductions in other commercial sectors as provinces restart their economies, UNIFOR which represents over 315,000 workers nationwide in the gaming sector suggests that using the same public health guidelines that have been put in place for other commercial operations should serve to assist with the reopening of the gaming locations across the province.

“Enough is enough—it’s time to safely re-open casinos so gaming workers can get back to work and support their families. There’s just no sound science that justifies re-opening Walmarts, gyms, and restaurants while at the same time keeping the casinos closed. There’s no logic behind the decision, and it’s placing a perfectly legal sector in jeopardy.” -- Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

The union notes that with the closure of community gaming locations, a large number of workers province wide have been affected by the loss of income that has come with the shutdown and are now on the cusp of losing a range of benefits as well.

The full call for the relaxation of measures can be reviewed here.

The union is not the only group looking to see the community gambling operations reopen, some British Columbia municipalities have also let the province know of their concerns over the extended closures that have been put in place.

This week the City of Terrace joined the list of those looking for a reopening, with the Skeena Valley City sending a letter of support towards that community's Chance's facility and their hopes for approval of their plan to safely reopen the gaming centre.  

Terrace Mayor Carol Leclerc noted for CFTK TV of Council's concern for the 55 employees that have been put out of work since the closure. Terrace also has a financial stake in a reopening, having received 700,000 dollars in revenues last year.

Ms. Leclerc observed that a loss of that level of revenue could have some significant impact when it comes to the city's ability to deliver on some of its services, as well she noted that many local charity groups rely on the gaming grant to help with their operations.

In the City of Prince Rupert's Annual Report for this year released in June, Casino returns provided 525,820 dollars in revenue for the city in 2019.

With the Chances facility closed for much of this year, that number will be significantly reduced in the 2020 review, just one of a number of revenue streams that have been impacted by COVID this year.

City Council is expecting an update from the City's Chief Financial Officer later this month or in early October, the review providing some guidance as to just how much of a financial hit that COVID has delivered to the city's finances.

What success the push for reopening for community gaming centres will have remains to be seen. 

In previous months, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix did not seem to hold out much in the way of optimism that the all clear for casinos and gaming centres would be announced any time soon.

With British Columbia currently finding a bit of a surge in recent case reports and amidst further concerns for the fall; the timing may not be quite right for those hoping to drop in to play the slots at their local community gaming centre.