Welcome to the CGA’s newest members!

Reopening Canada’s Casinos

With vaccination rates increasing and COVID-19 cases decreasing, Canada’s land-based gaming industry is slowly starting to reopen.

British Columbia: July 1, 2021
50% of gaming stations with restrictions lifted as early as Labour Day as vaccination rates increase

Alberta: June 10, 2021
No restrictions as of July 1, 2021

Saskatchewan: June 20, 2021
No restrictions as of July 11, 2021

Ontario: July 16, 2021
50% of fire code capacity with restrictions lifted 21 days later if vaccination target rates are met (75% of eligible population 12 & up fully vaccinated)

Quebec: June 21, 2021
Gradually increasing capacity as vaccination rates increase

New Brunswick: June 16, 2021
50% of facility capacity with restrictions lifted as vaccination rates increase

Nova Scotia: June 16, 2021
Operating at maximum capacity with mask and physical distancing restrictions in place until September

Prince Edward Island: June 26, 2021
Non-medical mask requirement to stop on July 18, 2021 and physical distancing requirements to stop on or around September 12, 2021

At this time, only casinos in Manitoba have yet to announce a reopening date.

AGCO iGaming Consultations Continue Throughout Summer 2021

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) just recently announced the launch of iGaming Ontario, which will be run by Martha Otton (Executive Director) and will oversee the commercial relationships with AGCO licensees.

In addition, the final Registrar’s Standards were released for review on July 14 and will come into force when the market opens (late 2021/early 2022).

A reminder that the AGCO’s iGaming consultation process will continue throughout this summer, as we expect to see the draft commercial contract and sports betting standards over the coming weeks.