UK PM confirms casinos are excluded from lockdown relaxation measures

BGC calls for land-based operators to reopen

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the exclusion of casinos from the easing of Covid-19 lockdown measures. Hotels, pubs and restaurants on the other hand will be allowed to reopen from 4 July. The UK gambling trade and standards body the (BGC) slams the government for keeping casinos closed and calls the government’s decision “inconsistent and nonsensical”. 

Michael Dugher stated that it is inconsistent and frankly nonsensical that casinos are being forced to remain closed, when other parts of the hospitality and leisure industry are opening up again.

The BGC added casinos were ready to reopen, having put measures in place to ensure the safety of customers and staff. Earlier this month, the BGC said its land-based casino operator members in England will be ready to reopen from 4 July, 

“Casino operators have worked round the clock to ensure their premises, and the way they operate, adhere to the government’s strict anti-Covid guidelines,” the BGC said. “They now want to work urgently with ministers on any outstanding issues which will enable them to re-open their doors safely as soon after 4 July as possible.” 

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said “The whole country has made sacrifices over the past few months to combat the coronavirus and it’s good news that the Government is determined to get the economy moving again by reopening the likes of pubs, restaurants, cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls, whilst protecting public health. 

“But it is inconsistent and frankly nonsensical that casinos are being forced to remain closed, when other parts of the hospitality and leisure industry are opening up again. 

The BGC added that the casino industry employs 14,000 people and contributes £300m in taxes to the UK treasury thus reopening could provide a major economic boost. 

“Our casino members make a huge contribution to the economy, sustaining thousands of jobs and providing large amounts of much-needed tax revenue to the Treasury,” Dugher added. “Casinos have done everything that they were asked to do by the government and they have pulled out all the stops to ensure they are able to open their doors safely for both staff and customers from 4 July. 

“It is therefore extremely disappointing that the government has not yet cleared casinos to reopen. We want to urgently work with Ministers to ensure that casinos are reopened safely and as speedily as possible this summer”. 

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