Members of the European Casino Association are still under a lot of pressure from Covid-19 measures imposed by governments this year.
According to a member survey, many are still struggling to operate under strict controls and mandates.
Last year European casinos were closed for an average of 150 days. Most are operating now, but many have fewer hours and limited food and beverage service. The exceptions to this are the Netherlands and Denmark.
The country with the lowest number of closure days last year was Hungary, with 54 while the highest was France, with 199 days of closure.
More than 95 percent of Europe’s casinos require proof of vaccination, with a recent negative test being insufficient. The same percentage require masks for all.
Social distancing requirements vary from one meter in Sweden to 15 square meters in Poland. Moreover, every other slot machine is required to be kept unoccupied in most countries.
ECA Chairman Per Jalding declared, “Closures, curbs and curfews continue to disrupt the normal flow of operations for ECA members into 2022.” He added, “While the majority of casinos in Europe are open for business, the restrictions on opening times, the reduction of the gaming and F&B offer, plus further guest and staff requirements continue to put enormous pressures on the business. Government help and support needs to continue into 2022 as ECA members battle to keep their locations open to provide entertainment, employment and tax revenues, as they play an essential role within the international tourism and leisure industry.”
