How Have Casino Businesses Adapted to the Pandemic?

casino businesses

The coronavirus pandemic affected not only our health but how we live and do business. Globally, many businesses suffered financial losses, including the hospitality and entertainment industries in which casinos and gaming play a part. Gaming authorities and companies canceled in-person gambling and live Esports leagues popular on platforms like SlotXO, and the results were far-reaching for many of these establishments.

Some of the most detrimental effects were a significant loss of revenue, downsized operations, and a sizeable reduction of employees. Although the casino industry is slowly recovering, the process is painfully slow. Industry leaders have had to make many adjustments to ensure that their businesses survive.

Below, we examine how casino businesses have changed their outlook since the global pandemic hit.

Six Ways Casino Businesses Have Adapted to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Personal Protective Equipment Use

Coronaviruses affect the respiratory system, spreading via coughs and sneezes from infected people. Casinos and other businesses have had to start using personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves, and even whole-body protective suits. The equipment bolsters other precautions, like physical distancing and regular handwashing, primary safety measures adopted worldwide to combat the spread of this virus among employees and customers.

Social Distancing

Brick and mortar casinos have also had to implement social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. For example, all employees and guests need to remain at least six feet apart while in the building. Casinos and many other businesses have also changed the layout to adhere to this principle, including moving slot machines and limiting the number of seats around roulette, poker, and blackjack tables.

New Health Precautions

Traditional casinos also provide hand sanitisers at all entrances and primary contact areas within their premises. They have upgraded their handwashing facilities and contracted professional cleaning companies with COVID-19 certification. It is now normal to see casinos regularly cleaning and sanitising the premises with industrial-grade detergents and sanitisers.

Enhancing Health Screening

Casinos have also turned to regular employee checks and taking temperature scans for guests who enter the property. A high temperature is one of the early signs of the virus, and thermal cameras are both effective and non-invasive. Businesses like casinos even deny entry to guests or employees who exhibit possible signs of sickness, such as a fever.

For employees, this may also mean undergoing COVID-19 tests before reporting back to work.

Limiting Expenses

Many businesses have had to cut expenses to avoid going out of business during and after the coronavirus pandemic, including casinos and other members of the hospitality industry. Temporary layoffs, permanent retrenchments, reduced food or beverage expenses, and lower bonuses are just some of the profit protection measures underway.

Online Casino Expansion

Lastly, traditional casinos have increasingly explored how to take their offering online. Punters were stuck at home for extended periods, and it was the perfect opportunity to branch out to online entertainment. The advent of live casino gaming technology and online sports betting is one innovative way that casinos have retained their revenue streams while in-person gaming stagnates.

A Work in Progress

The global pandemic brought unimaginable changes to the way we live, socialize, work, and connect. The casino industry has not escaped this remarkable shift, with a huge effort to shift operations online and reach a wider audience. Luckily, online casino platforms such as SlotXO already provide a host of Esports, betting, and gaming opportunities where everyone can experience the magic without risking infection.