Loto-Québec announces temporary closures following new guidelines

Following on from the Québec government’s decision to order closures of a wide range of businesses and public spaces such as bars, cinemas, and gyms due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, Canadian gambling operator Loto-Québec has closed its Casino de Montreal and the Salon de jeux de Quebec facilities until October 28.

Along with these land-based closures the company has revealed that Video Lottery Terminals, network bingo and Kinzo in Montreal, Chaudière-Appalaches and the Capitale-Nationale region, apart from Charlevoix and Portneuf will also remain unavailable during this time.

However, Loto-Québec has highlighted that despite the closures, lottery sales will not be affected by the province’s new guidelines with the firm being able to continue across its retail network. 

The new guidelines have been implemented to ensure the safety of Quebec residents whilst also restringing travel and attempting to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. 

It is important to note that these restrictions currently only apply to Québec and so Loto-Québec’s other Video Lottery Terminals are still open in other regions across the country.

Moreover, the Casino de Charlevoix, the Casino du Lac-Leamy, the Casino de Mont-Tremblant, the Salon de jeux de Trois-Rivières, the Hilton Lac-Leamy and the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu will all remain open, unless other guidelines are implemented.

Despite recording a 3.1% drop in revenue for the year ending March 31 2020 and its profit declining to CAD$1.35 billion, the company has stated that the figures remain above its targets. Especially considering when the firm opted to increase its online sales strategy in March due to the global health pandemic suspending all retail operations, halting the sale of tickets, and deactivating its sales terminals in kiosks and at retailers.