Scotland reopens betting stores: BGC urges casinos to resume operations too

The British industry standards group the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) welcomes the reopening of betting shops in Scotland in open arms yet asks casinos to have the same treatment

Scotland has recently stumbled out of another lockdown in bid to mitigate the number of COVID-19 cases. Roughly 400 betting shops were closed as a result of the constricting Level 4 restrictions imposed to 11 regions.  

Currently, betting shops have been allowed to open their doors to the public under the less stringent Level 3 restrictions. Areas include but isn’t limited to: Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Sitrling, East Ayrshire and West Lothian. 

Chief Executive of BGC, Michael Dugher commented on the situation stating: 

It’s great news for staff and customers that betting shops can open their doors again.

Dugher shared the measures Scottish betting stores have deployed when reopening: 

[Scottish betting stores] have introduced a range of anti-Covid measures, including Perspex screens, hand sanitisers and strict social distancing rules, so they are a safe environment for people to work and enjoy a bet. 

However, the BGC also highlighted that given betting shops have been given the green light, so should casinos. Dugher highlighted how casinos have been following the same safety measures as betting stores, he declared ‘they should be able to safely open their doors again as well.” 

He added:

The economic contribution betting shops – and casinos – make in terms of tax paid to the Treasury, as well as the jobs they provide, will be vital as the UK recovers from the impact of the pandemic. 

Betting shops’ contribution to horse racing – which has suffered financially as a result of the ban on spectators – also cannot be overstated. Scotland’s five racecourses have taken a huge hit due to the pandemic and we are delighted that revenue from shops can now flow through to the racing industry.

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