UK survey finds mixed response to Covid-19

The survey reports that the majority of gambling operators have seen revenue affected and have used the UK government furlough scheme.

UK.- A new survey of UK businesses carried out by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has found a mixed response from the industry to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Coronavirus Impact Business Survey was sent to around 4,000 businesses in different industries.

Of the gambling operators surveyed, 32 had furloughed between 75 per cent and 100 per cent of their staff, three had furloughed between 50 per cent and 74 per cent, and 20 operators had not made use of the government furlough scheme at all.

Thirty companies said their revenue had fallen by 100 per cent during lockdown, while 14 said revenue had dropped by between 50 per cent and 99 per cent.

A further eight said revenue had dropped by less than 49 per cent. Two businesses said revenue had increased or remained the same. Two operators said they had ceased trading.

Of the respondents, 20 gambling operators said they believed their business’s survival was in danger, while the same amount said they saw no threat to the viability of their business. 

Nine gambling companies said they believed they could only continue to exist under lockdown for between one and three months, while 40 said they could survive for more than three months.

The survey did not detail who was surveyed but results suggest those consulted were mainly land-based operators. The survey was completed in mid-May, since when retail betting shops in England have been allowed to reopen to the public.