UK Casinos and Betting Shops Propose Stricter Covid-19 Guidelines to Remain Open
The UK Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has stated that its members are prepared to enact stricter new coronavirus (Covid-19) guidelines in casinos and betting shops across England. This is to guarantee that these establishments can remain operational in regions confronting Tier 3 limitations.
The BGC is suggesting the introduction of new Covid-19 measures to ensure that casinos, betting shops, and other gambling venues are able to stay open, even under Tier 3 restrictions. This follows the UK’s entry into a nationwide lockdown on November 5, which is anticipated to continue until at least December 2. All gambling venues in the UK are currently closed.
Upon the UK’s exit from the nationwide lockdown, the government has declared its intention to revert to a tiered, regional strategy, with different parts of the country facing varying restrictions based on their infection rates. Under the existing tiered framework, gambling venues located in Tier 3 restricted areas would be compelled to shut down until the area is downgraded to Tier 2.
The BGC’s chief executive, Michael Dugher, has presented the proposals in separate letters addressed to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Cabinet Minister Michael Gove.
The proposition entails casinos halting live gaming activities, such as roulette, blackjack, and poker, while restricting the quantity of individuals permitted within these establishments to 25% of their capacity.
Should casinos be permitted to stay open after the current 10 pm curfew, they will completely cease the sale of alcoholic beverages, a regulation that applies to all entertainment and leisure establishments nationwide.
Concerning betting shops, these venues will restrict the duration customers can spend inside, as well as the number of patrons allowed within the shop at any given time, and will shut down all vending machines and hot beverage facilities.
“The pandemic’s influence is already being felt within the casino industry,” Duggal stated in the letter. “There have been substantial job losses, with one operator having reduced its workforce by over 40% thus far.
“Casino businesses possessed robust financial positions at the start of the year, and that is no longer the case, with some operators incurring expenses of up to £15 million per month during the closure.
“I would be appreciative if you could give serious consideration to these measures, which have been proactively proposed by our members to further guarantee their safe reopening in Tier 3 regions.”
The BGC has been advocating for gambling venues to remain operational for months, arguing that the continued closure of facilities would result in significant job losses within the industry.
In spite of this, the Gambling Commission has not yet persuaded the government to permit betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, and gaming arcades to remain open under Level 3 restrictions.
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