It was on June 1, alongside the third phase of deflation, that the 12 casinos operating in the country reopened, returning to their activity without restrictions. This means that from this time they are open until three or four in the morning, except in the case of Lisbon, where, as of July 1, they were forced to have reduced hours of operation, being able to operate only between 11 am hours and 20 hours, following the exception measures introduced for this Metropolitan Area and which affected the spaces of Lisbon and Estoril.
“In AML, all retail and service establishments, including those in commercial complexes, and those mentioned in article 24. [estabelecimentos de jogos de fortuna ou azar, casinos, bingos ou similares] close at 8 pm “, said the statement from the Council of Ministers.
Moreover, these spaces enjoy specific legislation, which allows them to operate at dawn, and which is described in the Law of the Game, which reads that “casinos they can open to the public up to 12 hours a day, in a period between 15 hours of each day and six hours of the following day, to be defined by the concessionaire, which, for this purpose, must inform the Games General Inspection of the time chosen 60 days in advance “.
The nightlife establishment sector does not understand. Hugo Cardoso, president of the Portuguese Association of Bars, Discotheques and Entertainers (APBDA) guarantees to “Daily News“that these spaces are also ready to adopt all the necessary measures for a safe functioning.” Why can they be open and the rest of the planet closed? Why can they have their normal activity? We have no idea why they are open “, he asks.
“Every day of the week, until three in the morning, casinos are the only spaces that are open and are the perfect option for those looking for, in addition to a gambling experience, a light meal or a refreshing drink,” he says , in a statement, cited by the same newspaper the Solverde Group, which owns the casinos of Vilamoura, Monte Gordo, Praia da Rocha, Espinho and Chaves. The group adds that “acrylics that separate all games were placed, guaranteeing the safety of players in all spaces”, also referring to the attribution of the Clean & Safe seal by tourism in Portugal.
Solverde Group awarded 47 million euros in prizes
What Hugo Cardoso saw, in a weekend in Figueira da Foz, tells him that, in the absence of bars and clubs, it is to these spaces that the kids now go. “A few weekends ago I went to Figueira da Foz, had dinner normally and then tried to see what was open, the only thing was Casino Figueira until 4 am”, he says. “At the door, there was a line of kids as if it were the entrance to a nightclub, the bar was full and there were also a lot of kids on the machines. It wasn’t just the revolt that they were open, and we were closed, it was because of the encouragement of the game between the newest.”
In June, the Solverde Group awarded 47 million euros in prizes – with Espinho giving 33 million and Chaves 9 million.
On Tuesday, August 11, the Portuguese Hotel, Restaurant and Similar Association (AHRSP) was part of the protests of the Portuguese Association of Technical Services for Events (APSTE), in Terreiro do Paço. The association advocates “normal operation” of activities, provided that prevention and safety rules are implemented, also mentioning that, with regard to nightclubs, “specific rules have been developed so that rapid opening is possible”, taking into account the unsustainability of the situation.
“It is absolutely unsustainable to keep establishments closed and not give them the support they need so that they are not forced to move towards insolvency. And we fear that for many it will be too late,” AHRESP told “Diário de Notícias.”
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