French casinos will reopen their doors on May 19, initially only for slot machines and electronic games and with a gauge of 35% of visitors, announced the two main players in the sector on Wednesday.
Asked Tuesday as part of the monthly control week at the National Assembly by LREM deputy Typhaine Degois, the Minister for SMEs Alain Griset had confirmed the gradual reopening of casinos within the framework of the schedule announced by the President of the Republic.
"
Regarding the slot machine part will be able to reopen
" on May 19, "
the table games part, a few weeks later
", on June 9, "
with the sanitary safety conditions, barrier gestures and everything you know allowing you to 'ensure sufficient security for all customers to be a normal activity
,' the Minister explained.
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The Partouche group has thus announced the reopening of its 39 casinos in France, closed since October 30.
On May 19, casinos subject to the 7:00 p.m. curfew will be able to reopen the slot machine and electronic games section with a 35% level of visitors.
Like restaurant owners, they will be able to use their terraces.
On June 9, the gauge will drop to 50% and the gaming tables can be opened with a curfew at 11 p.m.
It will also be possible to access indoor restaurants with the same restrictions as for all restaurateurs.
On June 30, reopenings should take place normally.
The end of the tunnel
“
We see the end of the tunnel after six and a half months of closure. (...) We are very, very happy to have this prospect of returning to life,
”said Fabrice Paire, chairman of the board of Partouche, to AFP. Partouche's competitor, the Barrière group, contacted by AFP, also said he was “
very happy with these announcements
” and “
ready
” to reopen its 27 French casinos on May 19. "
We are serene, we have the health experience of last year where it went well, we hope that customers will be happy to find their appointment in the casino,
" said the general manager of the casinos of the Barrière group, Eric Cavillon. "
The only possible things we expect is to know if there are any little rules that will be imposed in addition to contact tracing,
”said Fabrice Paire. According to casino representatives, the health pass will not be required.
