UK exempts gaming from business rates

After shutting down the industry to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, the UK allowed gaming not to pay business rates.

UK.- The government included gaming in the UK in the nation’s business rates exemption. The benefit goes for retail and hospitality businesses and will last for a year.

First, the authorities wouldn’t include gaming in the relief aimed at businesses forced to closed over COVID-19‘s growth. However, it ultimately gave in and the industry won’t lose even more money.

The Betting & Gaming Council (BGC) celebrated the decision. As the UK exempts gaming from business rates, the body voiced its contempt after an earlier scare.

Michael Dugher, BGC chief executive said: “The Government are clearly working night and day to beat the virus. Also to ensure that jobs and businesses throughout our country are protected. On top of the help on employment, extending help on business rates to all businesses that have had to shut down is another much-needed shot in the arm that will help to protect tens of thousands of jobs. On behalf of those workers in our companies, I’d like to thank the Treasury and cross-party MPs for this and to pay tribute in particular to the DCMS, including our outstanding Minister Nigel Huddleston, for all their support.

“Our industry will, in turn, do its absolute upmost to help with the fight against the virus. We’ll play our part in this historic national effort, including offering up staff and premises to help. And although gambling has fallen markedly with betting shops and casinos closing, and with the lack of sport which accounts for a big chunk of online betting too, we are also stepping up our safer gambling measures at this time”.