BGC slams “inconsistent and nonsensical” continuation of casino closures
UK trade body calls for land-based operators to be able to reopen after PM confirms casinos are excluded from lockdown relaxation measures
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has called for urgent action from the UK government to allow land-based casinos to reopen on 4 July, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the sector’s exclusion from the easing of Covid-19 lockdown measures.
Land-based casinos had been expected to be part of a list of businesses allowed to resume operations, which includes pubs, cinemas and restaurants.
It follows a similar decision to reopen retail betting shops on 15 June with strict social distancing and hygiene measures. However, casinos, along with gyms and nightclubs, have been left off the list.
The full list for England pic.twitter.com/XrO41V7oUY
— Nick Eardley (@nickeardleybbc) June 23, 2020
BGC CEO Michael Dugher welcomed the relaxation of lockdown measures impacting pubs and the hospitality industry, but questioned the wisdom of not extending this to the casino sector.
“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,” he said.
Qualifying this stance, the BGC chief cited lengthy efforts by the land-based sector to protect players and staff alike, including limiting entry to one person at a time and social distancing protocols.
Changes have also been made to table capacity, floor layouts and the introduction of plexiglass screens to protect dealers. Similar social distancing and public health measures have been implemented across the retail betting sector, which has now reopened.
“Casinos have done everything 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,” Dugher said.
“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,” Dugher added.
Rank Group, one of the UK’s biggest casino operators, with 51 Grosvenor casinos will be among one of the businesses affected by the governments decision.
Speaking to EGR Intel, Rank Group director of public affairs David Williams, said: “We want to work with government, not only to ensure they are aware of the implications of today’s decision on our revenues and – by extension – likely tax receipts, but also to understand what it is they require in the coming days to ensure, as soon as possible, that we are permitted to reopen.
“We believe we’ve gone over and above what is required and expected of us, but if we now need to showcase our plans for reopening to anyone in government, we will be delighted to do that and will welcome feedback,” Williams added.