As the timeline for pubs resuming trade comes into focus, many operators are considering how to approach the operation of gaming rooms in a post-pandemic world.
Perhaps more important even than the guidelines dictated by the Federal and state governments is the sentiment of people that have been sheltering from a deadly virus, and their willingness to expose themselves to any risk or compromised conditions.
Already some pubs report consideration or plans to re-organise gaming rooms, to avoid switching off half of the machines while still facilitating social distancing. However, many simply do not have this spacing option.
The problem – beyond the fact the rooms were not designed for this kind of spacing – is that most rooms will need to return to their more optimised configuration when they are permitted. The temporary rearrangements also do not allow for the calculated optimum player circulation, potentially affecting performance, and may actually jeopardise smoking compliance solutions.
With an eye to the ‘new normal’ likely to evolve in re-trading gaming rooms, hospitality specialist designer Paul Kelly has moved swiftly to produce a solution that provides a physical safety barrier between players, allowing gaming room layouts to remain as intended.
The acrylic screens are installed in-situ, on the bases between existing gaming machines, dividing patrons to protect them from potential pathogens, without them feeling the sterility of a conventional retail-style barrier.
Kelly says publicans have expressed to him their concern over maintaining the safety of their patrons, and of what will be the ‘new normal’ and how they can demonstrate what steps they have taken.
“When all the dust settles and life comes back to normal, gaming patrons aren’t going to want to sit closely to other players,” poses Kelly.
“They want the rooms and the machines to be incredible, but will need a sense of safety with the distancing to others.
“Our product Gaming Guard is a long-term design-based solution to provide comfort to patrons without making them feel like they behind a sneeze guard.”
Paul Kelly Design Gaming (PKDG) is having the products manufactured in Sydney, and reports they take around three weeks to fabricate, starting at around $1800 per unit. Dimensions are determined through a site visit by a PKD staffer or off a plan, and they can be shipped anywhere and installed by regular contractors.
Gaming Guard comes in three versions:
- Gaming Guard – Lite: the entry level, maintaining the product’s principles in a simplistic design
- Gaming Guard – Original: featuring the trademark curved lip and polished 10mm acrylic
- Gaming Guard – Luxe: the ultimate addition, sporting internal decorative illumination to add colour and vibrancy to the environment
