How Casinos Are Preparing For Re-opening In The Netherlands

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the earth when its guards were down. There were no preparations made before the virus swept across Europe and other parts of the world. With over 4 million cases and 276,396 people dead globally, there is no exaggeration as to the severity of this virus. This led to the closure of all public gatherings in several countries. Casinos, clubs, schools, stadiums and other public buildings were shut down. They are still shut down now. This has drastically affected the economy of many countries. So much that experts fear a worldwide post-COVID-19 recession if not adequately handled. However, there has been a glimmer of hope as few countries are beginning to make plans for re-opening.

The Netherlands government plans to begin re-opening certain parts of the nation’s commercial industries. This does not go without saying that all health care guidelines are still to be religiously followed.

Sadly, the Dutch government has announced that they don’t plan to re-open the casino industry anytime soon. Casinos are to re-open on 1 September 2020 if the virus remains curtailed and controlled. This means the casino industry would be on total lockdown for up to half of the whole year!

The Holland Casino (the leading on-site casino in the Netherlands) and the trade association, VAN Kansspelen, have voiced out in utter disappointment as to the decision of the government. Holland Casino had earlier announced on its website that it would be re-opening on 19 May 2020. All hopes for this have now been dashed.

In a joint statement published on 7 May 2020, both bodies expressed their grief towards the decision of the Dutch cabinet to keep the industry lockdown for 4 more months. They believe that the casinos can be re-opened safely at a much earlier time.

According to the CEO of the Holland Casino, Erwin van Lambaart;

“Keeping the entire sector in lockdown for so long is irresponsible in regard of our public task of channeling consumers to a safe and responsible gambling offer. The decision causes enormous economic damage to the entire sector. We understand that we should not be the first to re-open, but to keep us closed for another four months is unwise and unnecessary. We will be ready by 1 June at the latest to open our premises in full compliance with government guidelines.”

The major concern of these bodies is the fact “that they have to keep their doors closed for no less than 6 months, with all its consequences. Players nowhere to go, and there are more than 8,000 employees at home for months.”

The Chairman of the Sector Organization VAN Kans Games, Frits Huffnagel, also expressed his thoughts.

According to him,

“We are very disappointed with the news that the entertainment centers may only open on 1 September. Recently, a lot of work has been done on an extensive protocol to open quickly again. In addition, there has been intensive contact with various ministries. It seems like last night’s decision was made based on insufficient knowledge of the sector. The generosity promised in the press conference is only sufficient if 100% of the costs are reimbursed. We have little confidence that this will also be the offer. We can open responsibly again, as advised by the Ministries of Justice and Security and Economic Affairs.”

Online casinos in the Netherlands such as IdealeCasinos.nl are still very much active. Hopefully, with the right protocols, on-site casinos all around the world would receive new guests once again.

Conclusion

In other countries, like the USA, plans are being made towards the re-opening of casinos all around the country. Casinos plan to have players’ temperature scanned at the door. They also to shut down half of the slot machines and limit gaming tables to 3 persons each. There are plans for installing plexiglass barriers between the casino employees and customers as well as the compulsory wearing of face masks.