After announcing the decision to reactivate casino operations on November 12, the Superintendency of Gambling Casinos (SCJ) from Chile has communicated that operating hours will be limited.

The SCJ’s decision follows the Government’s new recommendations issued on December 1, and sets that casinos and gambling halls will be forced to limit their operations from 5 am to 12 am.

“Given the current exceptional sanitary conditions, it’s not possible for casinos to be open to the public on a continuous schedule, even when the curfew is respected,” said the gambling authority.

The “Management and Prevention Protocol against COVID-19 in casinos, gaming and entertainment establishments” has been included in the “Step by Step, We Take Care” plan from the Government, paving the way for operators to resume activity as long as they are in communities in Steps 3, 4 and 5 of the reactivation.

Those jurisdictions that are experiencing Steps 3 and 4 will have the option to allow or reject the reopening. On the other hand, the ones in Step 5 (advanced openings), have the full permission to reactivate their businesses, following Circular NO 31 of the SCJ.

In the last week of November, several casinos reopened their doors to the public, including Enjoy Santiago, Sun Monticello, Casino Colchagua, Casino Ovalle, Casino Coquimbo, Casino Copiapó, Enjoy Viña del Mar and Marina del Sol Calama.

Casinos in Chile shut down in March, a month in which revenue declined by 52,2%. The previous month, however, had also reported a revenue fall of 1,5% when compared to the same period in 2019.