Coronavirus COVID-19 Preparedness

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is committed to the health, safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and communities.

Since the onset of the pandemic, we have been diligent in following Public Health guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including enhanced cleaning, mandatory masks, social distancing, hand hygiene protocols and sanitization and disinfection procedures. Our employees are also required to self-screen for signs of COVID-19 before reporting for work; if they are feeling at all unwell, they must stay home.

We believe in being transparent with our customers and employees. When we are notified of positive cases of COVID-19 in our Liquor Marts, Casinos or Gaming Centre, and where there is a risk that customers may have been exposed, we will provide updated information on the tracker below. Please note that out of respect and confidentiality for our employees and colleagues, no personal information will be shared.

We all must do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. If you have been exposed to the virus, please self-monitor for COVID-19 related symptoms. If you develop symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact Health Links (204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257) for further advice on the need for testing.
 

Please be advised that in accordance with Public Health orders, non-liquor related accessories are not available for purchase at Liquor Marts in Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson until further notice. Liquor products, gift bags/boxes, bitters, syrups, reusable bags and gift cards will continue to be available for sale.

Please be aware that anyone entering a Liquor Mart is required to wear a face mask. When you enter the store, you will be asked to briefly remove your face mask so we can make sure you match your photo ID, and that you are over the age of 18. Hand sanitizer is available in the vestibule for you to use before and after you remove your mask.
 

Did you know?

Asking customers to identify themselves as they enter our stores has proven to be an effective deterrent to the thefts and robberies we've experienced over the last two years. Over the past several months, we have gone from more than 400 thefts and robberies weekly down to fewer than a dozen. We have also had a positive response from both employees and customers who have indicated they feel safe working and shopping in a Liquor Mart again. Learn more about the anti-theft measures at Liquor Marts.
 

Face Mask FAQs

A reminder for our out-of-province visitors…

As per public health order, anyone arriving in Manitoba is required to self-isolate for 14-days upon arrival to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

Before visiting Manitoba Liquor Marts, please visit gov.mb.ca/covid19 for more information.

*Note the following announcement does not affect any of the changes in effect at stores within in the Prairie Mountain health region; see the accordions below for more information.*

Effective Thursday, September 10, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries will require all customers to wear a mask when shopping at Manitoba Liquor Marts or visiting the Casinos of Winnipeg or Shark Club Gaming Centre.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has made every effort to keep our retail stores and casinos safe for our employees and customers, most recently mandating masks for all Liquor Mart, Casinos of Winnipeg, and public-facing corporate employees.

It’s important to remember that a face mask does not replace physical distancing requirements. As per public health recommendations, please maintain a 2-metre (6-foot) distance whenever possible while visiting our locations.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, or are self-isolating, please do not visit your local Liquor Mart or Casino of Winnipeg. It’s up to all of us to do what we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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Updated January 22, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact how we live, interact with friends and family, and shop in retail stores. When visiting your local Liquor Mart, here’s what you can expect:

We are open, but please check our hours.

As store hours vary, please check outliquormarts.ca/hours before visiting your local Liquor Mart.

Mandatory Masks & ID Verification.

While shopping at the Liquor Mart, it is mandatory to wear a face mask at all times. If you are unable to visit a Liquor Mart wearing a face mask, you are also welcome to wear a face shield as an alternative. At this time, we are not accommodating exemptions, for any reason, to this policy.

Please be aware that when you enter the store, you will be asked to briefly lower your face mask so we can make sure you match your photo ID, and that you are over the age of 18. Hand sanitizer is available in the vestibule for your use before and after you remove your mask. If you decline to remove your mask, entry/service will be refused.

To lower your mask without compromising its integrity, please ensure you use only the ear loops or ties. Try to avoid touching your face, eyes and mouth when lowering your face mask.

Please note that as the controlled entrance vestibules are included in the overall ventilation system of the Liquor Mart, they meet all building codes and standards and receive regularly scheduled maintenance. In addition, the regular opening of the exterior door contributes to fresh air circulation within the vestibule as well.

To learn more about our face mask policy and controlled entrances, please visit mbll.ca/stoptheft

Please keep your physical distance.

We are following public health orders to ensure two metres, or six feet, of physical space between you and other individuals at all times.

Based on these guidelines and the square footage of each Liquor Mart, the number of customers and staff allowed in the store at any one time will vary depending on the overall size. Please note that these limits fall at or below the capacity limits required as part of Manitoba’s Pandemic Response System ordered by Public Health.

To ensure appropriate social/physical distancing is being followed:

• Our employees will remind our customers to space themselves out while in-store.
• Floor decals indicate suitable spacing while waiting in line.
• At stores with controlled entrances, please wait outside until the previous customer has cleared the vestibule.
• While waiting outside, and out of respect for each other’s health, please be aware of physical distancing guidelines and leave two metres (six feet) between yourself and the next person in line.

To Protect & Serve.

We remain committed to doing what we can to protect the health and safety of our employees and customers. As new information about COVID-19 preventative best practices becomes available, Manitoba Liquor Marts will evolve, expand and implement initiatives as needed.

• For the protection of our employees, plexiglass shields are installed at all Liquor Marts across Manitoba. Please be ready to show your AIR MILES card as scanning will take place through the shield. The same goes if you appear under the age of 25 and need to show us your ID. And while we are happy to provide you with a recyclable paper bag or cardboard box, you will be required to pack your own items.  This reduces points of contact with your items purchased in our Liquor Marts during pandemic response timeframes.
   
• Face masks are mandatory for all our Liquor Mart employees, regardless of whether physical distancing requirements can be maintained or the current Pandemic Response Level in the province.

• We know we play an important role in keeping our community safe. That’s why all employees at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, including those working at Liquor Marts, are required to perform self-screening for signs of illness every day before reporting for work and stay at home if they are feeling at all unwell. Information about employees who have tested positive for the virus will be available on our COVID-19 tracker located on mbll.ca/covid-19.

• We have increased the scope and intensity of our cleaning /sanitation and disinfection procedures in Liquor Marts. The guards working at stores with controlled entrances are cleaning and disinfecting their gloves, equipment and pass-through slot before serving the next customer:
  • implemented staggered customer entry to ensure proper social /physical distancing within the vestibule.
  • the glass security partition is cleaned regularly; more often if customers have sneezed, coughed, etc. within the space; and
  • ID scanning equipment is wiped down after each use with a hydrogen peroxide disinfectant;
  • the metal pass-through slot is cleaned with a hydrogen peroxide disinfectant after each customer;
  • Guards gloves are routinely replaced;
  • the guard's gloves are cleaned and disinfected after handling each customer's ID;

• We have assigned extra cleaning staff from the Casinos of Winnipeg to assist with the increased cleaning duties in stores. In addition, at all Manitoba Liquor Marts, the following measures are in place:
  • Hand sanitizer pump stations containing 70% alcohol are available to customers and employees;
  • regular cleaning of countertops, pin pads, and other touchpoints of contact/high traffic areas; and
  • occasionally, stores may be temporarily closed to conduct a full deep cleaning/disinfection protocol to assist in maintaining everyone’s safety and health while visiting our Liquor Marts.
     

How You Can Help.

• If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or are self-isolating, please don’t visit your local Liquor Mart. It’s up to all of us to do our part to reduce the spread of the virus.
• Please keep the number of shoppers per household to a minimum.
• Please pay with credit or debit card (“TAP – Pin-Pad” feature) whenever possible to reduce the handling of cash.
• Please be prepared to pack your own liquor items. We are happy to provide you with a recyclable paper bag or box if needed.
• Consider giving our home delivery service a try. Place and pay for orders online and have it delivered right to your door. Delivery service is available in Winnipeg and Brandon only.
• Don’t forget to leave lots of room (two metres, or six feet) between you and other customers while you shop and wait in line.
• Please be patient with our employees, our security, and with each other. We’re all doing the best we can.

Product Availability.

Pandemic-related challenges have caused disruptions across the global liquor supply chain, which is impacting inventory levels at Manitoba Liquor Marts. While we continue to work closely with our partners to reduce the impact to our customers, we do anticipate that supply chain and inventory issues will likely continue for the foreseeable future. We thank you for your patience.

Please be advised that in accordance with Public Health orders, non-liquor related accessories will not be available for purchase at Liquor Marts in Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson until further notice. Liquor products, gift bags/boxes, bitters, syrups, reusable bags and gift cards will continue to be available for sale.

Our Return Policy.

Please bring your item(s) to be returned along with the applicable receipt(s). Returns on purchases made between August 1 and December 14, 2020 will be honoured with proof of purchase.

*Licensees should email channel.partners@mbll.ca for more information about processing product returns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For products purchased after December 14, 2020, customers may return any unopened product for refund, providing:

• it was purchased at a Liquor Mart,
• it is in saleable condition,
• it is returned with the receipt, and
• it is within 30 days of purchase.

If you have questions about our Product Return Policy, please contact us.

Cork Recycling Program.

The cork recycling program has resumed. Visit our cork recycling site for information in which Liquor Mart locations the cork collection bins are available.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries continues to closely monitor the evolving pandemic response situation. We have been diligent in following all Manitoba Health and Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines, implementing preventative measures designed to keep our customers and employees safe while reducing the spread of COVID-19. The health, safety and well-being of our customers and employees has, and will remain, our top priority.

To reduce community spread of COVID-19, the province of Manitoba has announced new, targeted directives.

In accordance with Manitoba Public Health orders, effective Monday, October 19, Club Regent Casino, McPhillips Station Casino, and the Shark Club Gaming Centre will be closed until further notice.

Future updates to changes in our casino operations will be posted to this page and shared on our social media channels.

We remain committed in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19 and in providing a safe gaming environment for our employees and guests.

Please be aware that as of Thursday, September 10, anyone entering the Casinos of Winnipeg or Shark Club Gaming Centre is required to wear a face mask. When you enter the casino, you may be asked to briefly remove your mask to confirm your identity and ensure that you are over the age of 18. Hand sanitizer is available at each casino entry for you to use before and after you remove your mask.

Face Mask FAQs

Effective Thursday, September 10, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries will require all customers to wear a mask when shopping at Manitoba Liquor Marts or visiting the Casinos of Winnipeg or Shark Club Gaming Centre.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has made every effort to keep our retail stores and casinos safe for our employees and customers, most recently mandating masks for all Liquor Mart, Casinos of Winnipeg, and public-facing corporate employees.

It’s important to remember that a face mask does not replace physical distancing requirements. As per public health recommendations, please maintain a 2-metre (6-foot) distance whenever possible while visiting our locations.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, or are self-isolating, please do not visit your local Liquor Mart or Casino of Winnipeg. It’s up to all of us to do what we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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Published March 3, 2021

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries will reopen the VLT network at 9 a.m., Friday, March 5, 2021 in accordance with the Manitoba Public Health Order implemented that day.

Please visit Restart Manitoba Public Response System to review the March 5, 2021 Manitoba Public Health order.

When the VLT network reopens, some VLTs will remain turned off to meet social distancing requirements. Operational VLTs are to be cleaned by site staff after each player’s use.

Our focus remains on the health and safety of our patrons and business partners as we work through these uncertain times. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries cares about the communities in which we live and serve. We encourage our customers and guests to help reduce the risk of infection by following all Public Health guidelines.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Published March 9, 2021

As VLT sites have reopened across Manitoba, you may redeem your tickets where they were issued. If you choose not to visit a VLT site at this time, please follow the steps below to redeem your VLT ticket(s) before they expire.

1. Take a photo of the entire VLT ticket(s) and a piece of identification that indicates your age and email it to Lottery.Orderdesk@mbll.ca. Please include your mailing address and phone number in the message.
2. Mail the original ticket(s) to:
   Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
   1390 Pacific Ave, Winnipeg MB  R3E 3R9
   Attention:  VLT Payslip
3. If you cannot email the information, please mail your VLT tickets and a copy of your identification, mailing address and phone number to the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries address above. Once your VLT ticket(s) have been verified at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, a cheque will be mailed to you. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing.

If you have more questions about redeeming your VLT tickets, please send us a message.

Published April 9, 2020

In support of the Province of Manitoba’s effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, all cannabis retailers in the province must suspend all customer returns effective immediately.

Updates on the status of this suspension will be posted to MBLL.ca/COVID-19.

Customers with a product that they believe may be a safety concern should contact the manufacturer.

Contact information is located on the product package.

Updated January 21, 2021

Effective Saturday, January 23, in accordance with Manitoba Public Health order, full-service lottery sales and validations are permitted at most lottery retailers.

As per the health order:

Manitoba Health has advised that previous restrictions in the health orders will remain, with the following changes in effect beginning Jan. 23 for the Winnipeg (except for Churchill), Southern Health–Santé Sud, Interlake–Eastern and Prairie Mountain Health regions:

Retail operations:  orders will be expanded to eliminate the essential items list, allowing all stores to open for the sale of products provided they maintain physical distancing and occupancy limits of 25 per cent only or a maximum of 250 people, whichever is lower.

If a lottery retailer chooses to reduce their hours, temporarily close, or suspend lottery sales during the pandemic, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries supports that decision.

For more information on lottery services during the pandemic, please see the next dropdown.

Updated November 24, 2020
 

Lottery prize claims

The Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) Prize Payout Office in Winnipeg is closed to the public due to current COVID-19 restrictions.

Larger prizes (above $1,000) can be claimed by mailing winning tickets to WCLC. Visit WCLC.com for full instructions on claiming by mail.

For smaller winning tickets, please keep them in a safe place until lottery retailers reopen for business.

Draw-based lotteries (Lotto Max, Lotto 649, Sport Select, etc.) will continue and any tickets purchased will remain eligible for prizes.

The prize claim deadline for draw-based tickets purchased from a lottery retailer beginning March 17, 2020, has been extended by six months.

Visit WCLC.com for complete information about lottery prize claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Can I play the lottery without going to a Lottery Retailer?

Yes, there are alternatives available for you to buy lottery tickets while maintaining distance and isolation:

WCLC offers a Subscription program for draw-based games like Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49.

You can also play lottery games like Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 online at PlayNow.com.
 

Sport Select

Sport Select games are unavailable at this time. Visit PlayNow.com for online sports betting and sports pools.
 

Checking Lottery Tickets

Lottery tickets cannot be checked at a lottery retailer whose terminal is closed due to the pandemic restrictions.

There are still ways you can check your tickets:

• Download WCLC's Lotto Manager app and check your numbers using your smartphone.
• Winning numbers can also be found on WCLC.com  and on PlayNow.com.