French-speaking Swiss lottery Loterie Romande has decided to distribute 3.5m francs to over 800 cafés, bars and restaurants that are the lottery’s sales partners in Switzerland, providing support to a sector that has been greatly affected by the pandemic.
The lottery’s Board of Directors made the decision to provide aid to all of its sales partners working in the hospitality sector, ‘bolstering its support for its distribution network and affirming its sense of public responsibility towards the community in these challenging times’.
Jean-René Fournier, Chairman of Loterie Romande, commented: “Through this act of solidarity, Loterie Romande is demonstrating its wholehearted support for the hospitality industry, particularly as the sector gears itself up towards resuming business.”
The lottery noted that the 3.5m francs will help bar, café and restaurant owners who have seen their games-related revenues slump by 31%, with each business being supported receiving anywhere between 1,000 and 8,000 francs depending on the number and types of game they sell.
Businesses won’t have to apply for the money, which will be paid out at the end of May 2021 to all that are still going concerns as soon as health conditions allow, with nothing expected in return.
Casimir Platzer, Chairman of GastroSuisse, added: “In this climate that has been extremely harsh for many hospitality business owners in recent months, this financial boost from Loterie Romande is most welcome for the many businesses as they look to open their doors to customers again.”
