UK’s BGC backs government plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions on casinos, betting shops

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he believed the country was on track to move to the final stage of the lockdown roadmap on July 19.

This means that venues such as casinos and high street betting shops will no longer have to adhere to anti-Covid rules such as the need for social distancing and the compulsory wearing of facemasks.

Michael Dugher, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), said: “We strongly welcome the Government’s intention to remove the remaining Covid restrictions on July 19, which will provide a much-needed boost to the economy. It is particularly good news for hospitality venues like casinos and their staff, as the businesses have had to endure many, many months of closure and crippling restrictions.”

According to an authoritative study by Ernst and Young, casinos directly employ 11,600 people and, before the pandemic, contributed £500 million ($ 690.06 million) a year to the Treasury in tax.

Dugher added: “Throughout the pandemic, casinos have spent millions of pounds on best-in-class anti-Covid measures and will continue to ensure their venues are as safe as possible for customers and staff once the remaining restrictions are lifted.”

Dugher went on to urge ministers to safely ease restrictions on travel, whilst ensuring proper safeguards to keep out the spread of Covid, to help kickstart the tourism industry.

He said: “We would also like to see further progress on foreign travel, given that, for example, London’s casinos contribute £120 million ($ 165.62 million) to the capital’s tourism sector. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister’s announcement is very welcome, and casinos look forward to playing their part in the UK’s post-pandemic economic revival.”

Dugher stated that the Government’s announcement was also “great news” for the UK’s betting shops, who support 46,000 jobs and paid nearly £1 billion ($ 1.38 billion) in tax to the Treasury in 2020. They pay around £60 million ($82.81 million) in business rates and help plow £350 million ($483.04 million) into racing through media rights, sponsorship, and the betting levy.

Dugher commented: “Betting shops are an important part of non-essential retail and help to support high streets across the UK, including by paying business rates and in driving custom to other local businesses. The lifting of further Covid restrictions will enable them to play an even bigger role in helping local economies across the UK.”

Dugher also welcomed the fact that the lifting of restrictions means that capacity crowds will now be able to return to race meetings and other sporting events.

He said: “This is great news for the much-loved sports that the regulated betting industry helps sustain, from racing, football, rugby league, snooker, and darts. The absence of crowds has been a bitter blow and I can’t wait to see venues safely operating at full capacity once again.”