COVID-19: Alberta bar owner questions “double standard” VLT restrictions

Glenn Lackey “not satisfied with the situation” the province’s new COVID-19 restrictions have imposed him on VLT machines at his Calgary bar.

The owner of Glenn’s Job Site Sports Bar told Global News on Friday that he sees “no reason” for larger bars and casinos to have their own operational VLTs, but his own needs to close.

Between its two bars, Lackey has 21 VLTs – eight in one and 13 in the other. Neither location falls under the recently announced operational guidelines, which classify locations with more than 15 VLTs as “gaming entertainment centers.”

In an email to Global News, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis said “as part of the government announcement … all VLT retailers in regions under the government’s enhanced status will not be allowed to operate VLTs.”

“During this period, and specific to places where the main business is food and drink (restaurants, pubs, lounges, etc.), only seated eating and drinking is allowed,” spokeswoman Heather Holmen said.

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Entertainment such as billiards, games, darts and VLT are prohibited.

“It’s a double standard,” Lackey said.

“It will affect him enormously. Without VLTs we wouldn’t be in business. It is about one third of the activity. “

AGLC said businesses that have more than 15 VLT machines are considered “destination gaming facilities where the main business is gaming, just like casinos, racing entertainment centers and bingo halls.”

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They are subject to the public health order to limit their occupancy to 25 percent of their capacity under the fire code, Holmen said, but otherwise all VLTs and slot machines can function normally.

Lackey said he “doesn’t understand the reasoning” and said his business will surely suffer if the government doesn’t review the decision and “provide a more valid response.”

“I’ve been in business for 40 years now – it’s always easy and it’s been a tough way to stay in business and make a small profit.”

The Alberta government introduced a number of new public health measures and restrictions earlier this week and declared a state of public health emergency, as a way to address the ever-increasing COVID-19 numbers.

The province recorded 1,227 new cases of the new coronavirus on Friday, bringing the total of active cases to 14,217.

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