Canada
Nevada Gaming Control Board: 2021-37 Emergency Directive 044
Section 18 of Emergency Directive 044 delegates all authority to prescribe COVID-19 mitigation measures for gaming properties to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Pursuant to the above authority, the Board issues the following:
RESTRICTED LICENSEES
Effective May 1, 2021, the Board rescinds its “Health and Safety Policy for Reopening after COVID-19: Restricted Licensees.” Each restricted licensee shall comply with its respective county’s COVID-19 Local Mitigation and Enforcement Plan (Local Plan). If a county’s Local Plan does not meet the requirements of sections 3 and 4 of Emergency Directive 041, a restricted licensee must: (1) limit its capacity to fifty percent (50%) of its occupancy limit assigned to the property by local building and fire codes; and (2) enforce a social distancing of six feet between individuals.
Additionally, each restricted licensee shall continue to comply with the Baseline Statewide Mitigation Measures established in section 8 of Emergency Directive 044; namely, the statewide mask and face covering requirements as set forth in Emergency Directive 024.
NONRESTRICTED LICENSEES
Except as otherwise provided below and subject to NRS 447.300 to 447.355, inclusive, effective May 1, 2021, each nonrestricted licensee shall comply with its respective county’s general capacity and occupancy limitations and social distancing requirements, as detailed in the county’s Local Plan, within the licensee’s gaming areas. These county-specific requirements are detailed below.
If a nonrestricted licensee is located in a county that has a Local Plan that does not meet the requirements of sections 3 and 4 of Emergency Directive 041, the nonrestricted licensee must: (1) limit its capacity to fifty percent
(50%) of its occupancy limit assigned to each gaming area by local building and fire codes; and (2) enforce a social distancing of six feet between individuals.
Additionally, each nonrestricted licensee shall continue to comply with the Baseline Statewide Mitigation Measures established in section 8 of Emergency Directive 044; namely, the statewide mask and face covering requirements as set forth in Emergency Directive 024.
Capacity Limitations for Gaming Areas (based on each county’s published Local Plan)
Carson City:
Occupancy Limit:100%
Social Distancing Measures: 6 feet
Churchill County:
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: CDC recommendations
Clark County
Occupancy Limit: 80% (Increase to 100% once 60% of eligible population receives first vaccine dose) Social Distancing Measures: 3 feet (Removed once 60% of eligible population receive first vaccine dose)
Douglas County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing: None
Elko County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Esmeralda County
Occupancy Limit: 50% of Fire Code capacity
Social Distancing: None
Eureka County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Humboldt County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Additional COVID-19 Mitigation Measures
Lander County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Lincoln County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Lyon County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing: 6 feet or physical barriers between individuals
Mineral County
Occupancy Limit: 50%
Social Distancing: None
Nye County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Pershing County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing: None
Storey County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing: None
White Pine County
Occupancy Limit: 100%
Social Distancing Measures: None
Washoe County (Local Plan not adequate)
Occupancy Limit: 50%
Social Distancing Measures: 6 feet
Effective May 1, 2021, the Board will enforce the Health and Safety Policy for Continued Mitigation of the Spread of COVID-19 for nonrestricted licensees. The current Health and Safety Policies for Resumption of Gaming Operations, as issued by Industry Notice #2021-31, will remain in effect until 11:59pm on April 30, 2021.
The Board retains jurisdiction over all licensees, and failure to abide by COVID-19 mitigation measures implemented by the federal government, State, local jurisdiction, or another agency may constitute grounds for disciplinary action under NGC Regulation 5.011.
Formal Requests to Increase Occupancy above Local Plan Requirement
As outlined in the April 2, 2021 Joint Statement of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission on COVID-19 Vaccination of Hospitality Workers (Industry Notice #2021-26), licensees may submit a request to the Chair of the Board for a waiver of applicable occupancy limitations or COVID-19 mitigation measures otherwise applicable on May 1, 2021. Such a request must demonstrate the licensee’s measurable and material steps to vaccinate its workforce.
Requests for increased gaming floor occupancy must also include the licensee’s detailed commitment to its obligation to vaccinate its workforce, until some defined goal is reached or some period of time under such a vaccination campaign has passed, as outlined by the licensee. This document will remain on file and will constitute an ongoing obligation by the licensee.
A formal request as described above must be submitted to [email protected] no later than 5pm on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
CONCLUSION
The contents, requirements, and restrictions set forth in this Industry Notice are subject to change based on a county amending its Local Plan. Each licensee is expected to continuously reference its county’s Local Plan to ensure compliance with the same.
In conjunction with state and local health officials, the Board will continue to ensure that best practices are used in the mitigation of COVID-19, and its effect on licensee operations, and will issue further notices as appropriate.
ComeOn Group announced a significant milestone in its sportsbook expansion journey with the addition of sportsbook to their offering in Ontario following the successful acquisition of the required permits. This addition represents a strategic advancement in the Groups sportsbook growth trajectory where they are set to double its sportsbook business in the coming years.
ComeOn Group is one of 51 active operators in Ontario. The Ontario market has experienced robust growth since its launch, reaching C$6.7 billion in revenue in 2023.* By 2029, the market is forecasted to grow by a total of 29%, with 2024 expected to close with a 20% increase.
ComeOn keeps investing in its sportsbook business acceleration that is powered by its proprietary sportsbook platform and in-house risk management and trading team. As a multi product vertical operator, ComeOn is striving to give its customer base a safe and exciting entertainment destination and this approach is now expanded to their Ontario audience.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities this new milestone opens up for us. As a casino-led operator it represents a key part of our sportsbook strategy to double our business in the coming years. Like in any of our other markets, we are striving for a differentiated sportsbook entertainment experience that is powered by our in-house technology. Our goal is to deliver top-tier entertainment to our players while fostering safe and innovative gaming experiences.”
*Source – H2GC H2 Ontario Data 25.10.2024 (excl. Lottery)
BCLC
INTRALOT Announces New Project with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation for Online Lottery Platform
INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT Inc., its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalization of the existing land-based network.
The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.
INTRALOT is a leading player in a changing world of gaming. With significant experience in looking forward and anticipating emerging trends, the company provides future-proof solutions to regulated lottery and gaming operators around the world.
Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has significantly enhanced its presence in the Ontario market through an agreement with leading Canadian operator, PointsBet.
This partnership reinforces Relax Gaming’s aim to become a standout provider across North America, having already gained early success in Ontario. Relax became one of the first suppliers to deliver content to the region’s players in March 2022, debuting with over 120 games across multiple operators.
PointsBet pride themselves as one of Canada’s leading operators offering unmatched speed, ease of use, and a comprehensive array of pre-game and in-play sports betting options. This is complemented by a top-tier online casino which will now be boosted with the integration of Relax’s portfolio of slots and live dealer options.
With its authentic Canadian approach, PointsBet prioritises technology that minimises external dependencies to maintain control over its platform and has a commitment to responsible gambling best practices, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all players.
Martin Stålros, CEO at Relax Gaming, said: “Since we launched in Ontario we have enjoyed tremendous success, with our content hitting the sweet spot for the broad range of players in the Canadian province. This partnership with PointsBet will strengthen our presence in the market as the region’s leading operator integrates our rich content portfolio which will engage its player base.”
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer at PointsBet, added: “Relax Gaming has established a strong reputation across North America and in Ontario in particular. The impressive range of content that will be integrated into our platform will increase engagement within our online platform and we are delighted to be able to provide more immersive experiences to our audiences.”
Established as one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers, Relax Gaming was awarded GGA’s Product Launch of the Year in February 2023 for Dream Drop Jackpots. Money Train 3 names the 2023 CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards amongst its 6 Slot of the Year titles, while the brand also won the award for Skill Games Supplier at the 2023 EGR B2B Awards along with the Innovation in Mobile award at the 2023 SBC Awards.
Relax Gaming provides more than 4,000 online casino games, from its high-performing proprietary slots to a significant, varied library of content from hand-picked third-party studios via its partnership programmes.
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