Guest Comment
Guest Comment Per Jaldung
L
and-based casinos in Europe are a piece of our shared history and heritage. Generations from all walks of life have enjoyed the wonderful hospitality and service offered within the walls of our establishments, which have become community hubs for people to gather, socialise and have fun. Casinos in Europe are a pillar of our societies and seeing them empty and desolate was a terrible shock. As terrible as having to tell your loyal and high-skilled employees that there is no more work for them. The crisis has hit the retail hospitality industry, our sector, the hardest worldwide. It caught us by surprise, and we were unprepared for the impact it would have on our lives and our businesses. Since the start of the pandemic, the toll has been heavy. European casinos were closed for an average of 136 days in 2020, with many yet to welcome guests in 2021. As members start to open their doors for the first time in months, relieved to be working alongside their colleagues once again, they are operating under severe restrictions that cannot be maintained in the long-term. Others are still unable to greet guests as national lockdowns continue to inflict extreme hardship on our sector. Thanks to ECA members’ strong network and high engagement in the Association’s activities, our surveys have revealed that land-based casinos lost an average of over 37 percent of regular operating days throughout 2020 due to mandated COVID-19 closures, and have experienced a fall in revenues of over 50 percent. Many casinos still do not have clear reopening schedules for 2021 and this uncertainty is not only causing distress for our businesses, but also for our employees. Our employees are essential to us. It’s due to their diligence and hard work that customers feel loyalty to our brands and want to return again and again to our Volume 17: Issue 145
European Casino Association President, Per Jaldung 5
