'Delighted to reopen': Caesars Windsor welcomes back guests July 23

Windsor, Ont. -

Gamblers will be allowed to re-enter Caesars Windsor as of 10 a.m. Friday, July 23 but will face some capacity restrictions to follow provincial guidelines.

"We are delighted to reopen Caesars Windsor and welcome back our guests,” said Kevin Laforet, president of Caesars Windsor. “As we reopen, the health and safety of our guests and our Team Members remain our top priority.”

Laforet say reservations will not be mandatory; however, all guests will be required to register prior to entering the casino.

The initial reopening will be limited to slot machines and select food and beverage outlets with plans to open more amenities as operating restrictions allow for expansion. Subject to regulatory approval, table games will reopen on July 28 at 10 a.m. and operate at 50 per cent, or about 2300 people.

“We are optimistic for the future and look forward to providing an exciting entertainment experience for our guests.”

Laforet says the company has also developed additional health and safety protocols. These include enhanced cleaning, sanitization and physical distancing measures.

The Colosseum will not be open in the initial phase of reopening.

“We are monitoring and following health and safety guidelines for live entertainment,” Caesars Windsor told CTV News in an email. “We will be announcing our concert line up, including rescheduled show dates and guidelines, as soon as we are able.”

WORKERS EXCITED

Local UNIFOR 444 president Dave Cassidy says workers are looking forward to being back on the job.

“Very excited," said Cassidy. "You can only imagine they were on CERB at first, then it went to EI and I tell you it’s like a cliff come the end of August or September where their EI runs out.”

About 600 out of 2500 employees are being recalled initially, as the slot machines and select food outlets are the first to reopen.

“And that’s just going to open up," he adds. "Legends and Neros and the hotel isn’t open right away, they are going to be phased in. So as we phase them in more people will be getting called back.”

With files from CTV Windsor's Melanie Borrelli.