SIGA spacing out slot machines, using virtual game tables to get back in business

Gambling is going to be a different experience when casinos reopen in Saskatchewan next week.

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) is set to reopen all seven of its casinos on July 9 at 6 p.m., with staff preparing to implement physical distancing measures to keep themselves and customers safe.

“We’ve got a very thorough program on health and safety guidelines and cleaning standards and physical distancing,” SIGA president and CEO Zane Hansen told the Brent Loucks Show on Thursday.

“We’ve mapped everything out.”

Masks will be mandatory for both staff and guests. Each open slot machine will be separated by two closed ones. There will be directional markers on the ground to keep foot traffic going one way.

And calling a bluff off an eye twitch is going to be a lot harder, with live game tables shut down in favour of virtual live tables.

“You sit at your own terminal and they’re spaced out two metres apart, and you can play off a live table that way,” Hansen said.

SIGA is also requiring customers to sign in when they arrive at a casino, allowing for better contact tracing.

“We want to be as responsible as we can and make sure we have good information on all things at our properties at all times,” he said.

Casinos have been shut down since March when Saskatchewan declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hansen noted there will still be an impact on staffing levels across SIGA’s properties, given the casinos will be operating at about half of their normal business.

In the meantime, the organization is doing what it can for its employees through wage subsidy programs.