The Barrière casino in Dinard (Ille-et-Vilaine). – Patrick siccoli
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.
The opening of the games part scheduled for June 9
“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 all that you know allowing to ‘ensure sufficient security for all customers to be a normal activity,’ the Minister explained.
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 p.m. curfew will be able, like restaurant owners, to use their terraces. On June 9, the 35% visitors 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.
No health pass
On June 30, reopenings should take place normally. “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 Management Board of Partouche. Its competitor, the Barrière group, also said it 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 that we expect is to know if there are small rules which will be imposed in addition as” contact tracing “”, underlined Fabrice Paire. According to casino representatives, the health pass will not be required.