English casino and bingo operators optimistic about reopening

Operators are optimistic that reopenings in May will draw in customers.

UK.- Casino and bingo hall operators are optimistic that reopenings will be a hit with customers following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of planned dates for the easing of lockdown restrictions in England.

Under the government roadmap to exit lockdown, betting shops in England will reopen on April 12 and gambling centres, bingo halls and casinos on May 17.

Miles Baron, chief executive of the Bingo Association, said in an interview with Rank Group: “The land-based bingo industry is delighted to have a firm date to reopen.

“Thousands of bingo customers have been contacting us via social media to tell us how much they miss social contact and how safe they feel in a bingo club.

“Industry data tells us that 90 per cent of our customers visit bingo with either family and friends, so I have no doubt that on 17 May we will see our customers flooding back to bingo clubs to play their favourite game once again.”

Simon Thomas, CEO of Hippodrome Casino, is also optimistic about the results after reopening.

He said: “The government has spoken! So it’s with cautious optimism that I can announce that we will reopen on Monday, May 17.

“You can imagine how delighted we all are, and in the next few weeks we’ll be finishing off the work we’ve undertaken while we’ve been closed. There’s a brand new casino floor in the gods high up on the fifth floor, a new poker deck with many more tables, and other improvements to make us bigger, better and busier.”