BGC welcomes reopening of British casinos and bingo halls

Land-based casinos, bingo halls and gaming centres in the UK were allowed to reopen yesterday (Monday) after four months of closure. 

UK.- The UK has entered the next stage of its roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdowns, with casinos, bingo halls and adult gaming centres among the businesses allowed to reopen from yesterday (Monday).

Meanwhile, many restrictions have been relaxed for betting shops, which were allowed to reopen with certain conditions last month.

Casinos, bingo halls and gaming centres have been closed for at least four months since the implementation of a new national lockdown in the winter. Many were closed for longer under a previous tiered system of restrictions.

Casinos were severely impacted even when they were last able to open due to a 10pm curfew that was imposed before the last round of lockdowns.

The curfew no longer applies to casinos in England, but casinos in Scotland must close at 10.30pm and must not serve alcohol. 

In the Scottish city of Glasgow, casinos must remain closed completely for the time being. 

The industry group, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), welcomed the reopening. 

Chief executive Michael Dugher said: “It’s great news that most of the UK’s casinos are finally able to re-open – and is a testament to the hard work that staff have put in making them Covid-secure.

“As well as providing excellent entertainment for their customers, casinos are a major contributor to the UK economy, something which will be vital in the months ahead as the government tries to repair the damage done to the nation’s finances by Covid-19.”

Betting shops move closer towards normality 

Betting shops in the UK reopened last month but were subject to a range of conditions, including a ban on screening live sport, the removal of chairs and tables and a maximum of two gaming machines to be turned on. 

Customers were limited to two visits per day, no longer than 15 minutes at a time, and shops had to close at 8pm.

Under the latest easing of Covid-19 restrictions in the UK this week, most of those conditions have been relaxed, although customers must still wear face masks and capacity remains limited.

In Scotland, the live screening of sports was already allowed when betting shops reopened on April 26, but all gaming machines had to be turned off. Machines may now be switched on as of yesterday. 

The relaxation of restrictions has been welcomed by betting shops, which had reported revenue down by around 50 per cent due to the restrictions. 

Andy Hicks, retail managing director for Ladbrokes and Coral, told Racing Post: “Getting our betting shops back to being sociable leisure hubs in the community is really important to the longevity of retail betting.

“We hope that having had it taken away, many of our customers realise how much they value their local betting shop. We are fully focused on welcoming them all back and providing them with a safe, secure environment where they can enjoy the pastime they love.”

Dugher said: “I am also delighted that the restrictions imposed on betting shops are being lifted. 

Their safe re-opening in April has been a huge success and this is further reward for the efforts they have made to ensure their premises are Covid-secure.”

The latest easing of restrictions in the UK also allows restaurants and bars to reopen indoor spaces, while cinemas, hotels, museums, sports venues and theatres can also resume trade.