Staff at the Copper Coulee Casino get slots ready to abide by health protocols to be in place prior to reopening on Wednesday. (CHAT News photo).

By Alex McCuaig

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Copper Coulee Casino to open Wednesday

Jun 15, 2020 | 2:33 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Copper Coulee Casino closed suddenly on the afternoon of March 17 after a phone call stating the betting house needed to shutter immediately due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting on Wednesday, the casino will be open again with a limited amount of VLT and slot machines available. Table games are not currently able to operate, stifling a source of income for a number of local charities which receive a portion of the revenue generated.

Copper Coulee co-owner Albert Stark says about one-third of the slots and VLTs will be operating to allow for physical distancing between gamblers in addition to other COVID-19 related protocols such as multiple hand-sanitizing stations in place with facemasks being strongly recommended.

Stark says while he is happy the casino is reopening, “it’s a bit odd, I got to say. These times are difficult. We’re not sure what the next step is going to be.”

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The reopening comes after the province shuffled its Stage 2 reopening last week to include casinos which originally were anticipated to open in Stage 3.