Belgian casinos to reopen on 1 July

Casinos in Belgium are set to reopen on 1 July, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès has announced.

Wilmès said casinos will be part of Phase 4 of the country’s reopening following a lockdown to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). Belgium is set to enter Phase 3 on 8 June, which will see restaurants and contactless sports activity resume.

The reopening of casinos on 1 July is contingent on transmission of the virus in Belgium remaining low. Contact sports will also resume on 1 July and may be played in front of up to 200 spectators.

The Belgian Gambling Commission said it expects gambling halls and betting shops to also reopen on 1 July, but will have to wait for a ministerial decree to confirm that this is the case.

Wilmès did not announce what restrictions will be in place for casinos when they reopen.

Casinos in Belgium closed on 18 March, as almost all of Europe locked down because of the pandemic.