Luck returns for Christchurch Casino staff

Christchurch Casino workers will be able to return to work. Photo / Supplied

Hundreds of casino workers who faced uncertain futures after the Christchurch earthquake will be able to return to work from tonight.

Christchurch Casino was forced to close after the February 22 disaster. It is reopening seven days a week, but from Mondays to Thursdays its hours will be restricted to 11am to 3am.

After the quake, about 500 workers were given the choice of taking redundancy or unpaid leave until the future of the organisation was established.

Casino chief executive Brett Anderson said 336 people who opted to take the unpaid leave were back on the payroll, though not necessarily in the jobs they once had.

Of about 170 who opted for redundancy, about 40 had expressed an interest in coming back to work, he said.

"The whole key was to get people back at work."

The casino's building came through the quake largely unscathed, but some tiles shaken loose were being replaced.

The casino's main gaming room with the tables and slot machines will be reopened tonight, but it might take up to month to open the top floor, Mr Anderson said.