The government has postponed the opening of betting agencies and casinos in many parts of the world. The music has suddenly gone out of tune for many casino owners and other gambling places.
Land-based bookmakers, casinos, lotteries, and agencies remain closed and on alert. The decision affects more than 30,000 branches, and everything continues to take place online. The situation could change but there’s no telling until when.
Romania has come out of the state of emergency and entered the state of alert. Even though the Government has taken some remedial action after two months of lockdown, the officials of our bookmakers have received bad news from the Executive! Land agencies remain closed for at least another two weeks. Then new measures will be taken, and bookmakers hope to receive the green light to restart the business.
Following the Decision of the National Committee for Emergency Situations regarding the approval of the establishment of the state of alert at the national level and of the measures for prevention and control of infections, in the context of the epidemiological situation generated by SARS-VOC-2 virus published in the Official Gazette no. 395 / 15.05.2020, gambling activities organized indoors are prohibited “, Libertatea issued a statement by the Romanian Lottery officials.
They talked and hoped, but in vain
In addition to the almost 2,000 branches of the Romanian Lottery throughout our country that remain closed in the next period, are affected by this decision almost 14,000 land bookmakers, but also another 15,000 casino agencies and other offices who hold the “pecans”.
According to the newspaper, in recent days there have been discussions with the Government and Ministry of Finance officials to restart the gambling industry in compliance with all health rules.
If at first, they seemed to receive the OK, this did not happen, so they are forced to wait for the reopening of the rooms. Obviously, with extremely strict rules when they have this right. The social distance of 2 meters inside the agencies, the mandatory wearing of a mask, but also equipping branches with disinfectant dispensers.
Thin offer, but there is an alternative
If for the Lottery the receipts have dropped to zero in the past months, the majority of bookmakers have moved online (asiabet). They had this alternative and took full advantage of it. They have special sites and applications through which those who wish can bet at this moment, even if the offer is very weak.
However, all bookmakers have reshaped and now rely on international lotteries, casinos, especially roulette, card games, and slot machines. Virtual games are on the rise! What do they mean? They are like a regular football match, but they last up to a minute. The user can bet on the prediction, on the correct score, but also on the number of goals in the respective match. The games start every three minutes.
