Canada: Nearly 550 employees to be laid off from Casinos Regina, Moose Jaw Heidi Atter, CBC · March 28, 2020 at 7:26 am Around 550 employees are going to be laid off from Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw. SaskGaming made the announcement Friday morning. 497 members are unionized and 52 are non-unionized, SaskGaming said in a statement. Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw were closed on March 17 due to concerns about the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. “We were very surprised. In fact, I think we were all blindsided,” Marianne Hladun said. Hladun is the regional executive vice-president for the union representing Casino workers.
Cirque du Soleil explores options including bankruptcy – sources Mike Spector and Jessica DiNapoli, Reuters · March 27, 2020 at 7:27 am Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is exploring debt restructuring options that include a potential bankruptcy filing, after it was forced to cancel shows because of the coronavirus outbreak, people familiar with the matter said. The famed Montreal-based circus company, largely known for its regular shows in Las Vegas venues, had to temporarily lay off most of its staff after social distancing measures put in place to prevent the spread of the virus nixed its performances. Cirque du Soleil is working with restructuring advisers to address a cash crunch and its roughly $900 million in debt, the sources said on Thursday.
Spanish gaming associations express support and optimism Phil, G3 Newswire · March 27, 2020 at 7:01 am Nine gaming associations in Spain have issued a joint statement in support of the nation as it battles the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisations offered their support for government initiatives aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 and reassured workers in the industry that it will be business as usual as soon as possible. The associations expressed their commitment to “full collaboration with those initiatives aimed at slowing down the advance of COVID-19.” “For all of us who make up the gaming family clients, employees and companies, we want to show our greatest gratitude for the responsibility shown so far and encourage them to continue to act with the same commitment and sense of duty, because our individual and social responsibility forces us to fully comply with the official measures recommended to stop this pandemic.”
Demolitions OK’d for Hellenikon airport development, casino appeal coming The National Herald · March 27, 2020 at 6:53 am Almost forgotten in the fear over the COVID-19 Coronavirus, the long-delayed 8-billion euro ($8.75 billion) development of the abandoned Hellenikon International Airport on the capital’s southern coast got a boost when the notoriously picky Central Archaeological Council (KAS) reportedly gave approval to demolish old buildings on the site. KAS had stymied the project when the country was under the 4 1/2-year rule of the anti-business Radical Left SYRIZA but the New Democracy government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had been fervently seeking international investors and pushing the project. That seemingly was put on hold when COVID-19 hit but Development and Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis told the state broadcaster ERT that bureaucratic work is still going on to get the development going at some point.
New Danish marketing regulations set to come into effect iGaming Business · March 26, 2020 at 7:05 pm New marketing regulations for gambling are set to come into effect in Denmark on 1 April, requiring operators to incorporate new information and links in their gambling marketing. Marketing communication of all betting and casino products now must state the age limit for the game, information about national self-exclusion register ROFUS and must direct customers towards regulator Spillemyndigheden’s guide on responsible gambling. Spillemyndigheden said these requirements, first announced in January this year, may prove difficult to follow for advertisements that appear in certain forms of media. However, it said it would provide further clarity on this in the future.
Adrian Marsh u-turns on joining William Hill as CFO Erin-Marie Gallagher, SBC News · March 26, 2020 at 6:55 pm William Hill has confirmed that it will recommence the executive search for its Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) after Adrian Marsh revealed his intentions to remain with his current employer. Marsh, who intended to join William Hill’s executive team during Q1 2020, informed the operator that he would remain as Group Finance Director of international packaging business DS Smith. In his notice, Marsh emphasised that his decision was undertaken due to the ‘current unprecedented circumstances’ in which he would remain in his current role.
Government’s business relief ‘will protect tens of thousands of jobs’ says BGC Erin-Marie Gallagher, SBC News · March 26, 2020 at 6:31 am The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has backed the recent government support, welcoming the confirmation that betting companies will now qualify for the same business rates holiday like other businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality industry. Following the government’s instruction to close betting shops and casinos across the UK to limit the spread of COVID-19, the BGC has campaigned for inclusion in Rishi Sunak’s support package. According to the standards body, without the ability to generate revenue around 64,000 jobs were at risk. Michael Dugher, BGC chief executive, said: “The Government is clearly working night and day to beat the virus and to ensure that jobs and businesses throughout our country are protected.
Uruguay/Argentina: Casinos to become sanatoriums during coronavirus crisis Phil, G3 Newswire · March 26, 2020 at 5:43 am Two casinos in Latin America will be used to help fight the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and help local authorities. Enjoy the owners of the hotel and Casino Enjoy, (formerly known as the Conrad) will make its hotel in Punta del Este available so that it may eventually be used as a sanatorium for those affected by the coronavirus. Meanwhile the Municipality of Palpalá which manages the Hotel Casino in the neighbourhood of Loma Golf has announced it will also temporarily make it available as a location for authorities during the pandemic. As part of the resolutions prepared by the government to strengthen measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on Friday the government announced its decision to cede the space to the COE (The Emergency Operational Committee).
Newgioco virtuals subsidiary pens African distribution deals iGaming Business · March 25, 2020 at 8:00 pm Newgioco’s virtual sports-focused subsidiary Virtual Generation Ltd (VG) has signed five new distribution agreements in Africa. Newgioco did not reveal its new partners, but said VG would provide virtual sports products, including its Color Lotto games, in Kenya and other regulated markets on the continent. “The recent suspension of live sports events around the world has given rise to greater demand for non-sports online entertainment products,” Newgioco chairman and chief executive Michele Ciavarella explained. “As an alternative to live sports, the superior technology of our Virtual Generation virtual sports and games provide a highly entertaining solution for gaming operators, and further reflects the strength of our diversified product portfolio.
Bulgarian regulator suspends Eurofootball licence iGaming Business · March 25, 2020 at 7:36 pm Bulgaria’s State Gambling Commission (SCC) has suspended the licence of the country’s oldest sports betting operator, Eurofootball, for three months over unpaid betting taxes. The commision said it took the decision due to unpaid state fees and interest, which totalled a combined BGN328.9m (£154.4m/€168.2m/$182.4m). Under Bulgaria’s gambling act, the SCC may suspend the licence of any operator with debts of over BGN5,000 and no collateral. These fees are primarily from gambling taxes, which are set at 15% of turnover for sports betting and 20% of revenue for games of chance. The commission said Eurofootball paid its sports betting taxes based only on revenue, rather than on turnover.
