Gaming tables, pokies changes as Northern Territory casinos look to reopen

GAMING tables will be out of action at Lasseters Hotel Casino and there will fewer poker machines as the Territory’s casinos prepare to reopen on June 5

Mindil Beach Casino will reopen on June 5. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

GAMING tables will be out of action at Lasseters Hotel Casino at Alice Springs and there will fewer poker machines as the Territory’s casinos prepare to reopen on June 5.

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The Lasseters Hotel Casino and Darwin’s Mindil Beach Casino were forced to close in late March because of COVID-19 restrictions but are planning to reopen under the NT Government’s third stage of easing restrictions.

A spokeswoman for Lasseters Casino said the venue’s restaurant, health club and day spa would open on Friday, with the casino following on June 5.

However, she said table games in the casino would not resume and half of the poker machines would not be in use.

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“Table games won’t be back on just yet because it’s difficult to control the number of people participating,” she said.

“Rapid Roulette, which is an electronic version of roulette, will be allowed. All machines will be on but we will remove every second seat.”

A spokesman for Mindil Beach Casino said there would be a new operating plan in place to comply with social distancing requirements when the venue reopened on June 5.

The casino, keno, The Vue and SportsBar will open then.

“During the first phase of operations from 5 June, we will be launching our comprehensive Play It Safe program, which is designed to minimise risk to our members, guests and employees,” he said.