Casino and race book closed at Hastings, but training continues for upcoming meet

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Great Canadian Gaming Corporation announced Sunday that the casino and race book at Hastings will be closed until further notice because of the coronavirus outbreak. Hastings is one of 10 casinos Great Canadian operates in British Columbia. All 10 have been temporarily closed in response to the outbreak.

“While there have been no cases of COVID-19 reported at Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, this measure has been deemed to be in the best interests of the public’s health and the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19,” the company said in a statement.

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The backstretch at Hastings remains open as trainers are preparing their horses for the 2020 meet, which is slated to begin April 26.

“It is a fluid situation, but for now the backstretch is open,” said Darren Macdonald, the British Columbia director of racing for Great Canadian.

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation is allowing casinos to remain open. However, in Ontario the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation ordered all casinos in the province to shut down Sunday.