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UK – UK Government accused of ‘ill-informed and arbitrary’ decision making over latest casino closures

By - 20 October 2020

The British Government has been accused of behaving in an ‘ill-informed and arbitrary’ way over the decision to order the closure of betting shops and casinos in Lancashire and Merseyside despite a lack of evidence that they contribute to the spread of Covid-19.

Betting and Gaming Council chief executive Michael Dugher has written to Business Secretary Alok Sharma urging his department to intervene to block the “unfair and unnecessary” move putting tens of thousands of jobs in the industry at risk.

Betting shops have been included in the list of businesses having to close in areas placed under Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions – the only part of non-essential high street retail having to do so.

This is despite the venues re-opening on June 15 with stringent anti-Covid measures in place, including perspex screens and track and trace systems.

It means bookies – as well as casinos – in Merseyside and Lancashire have already been forced to close their doors, with those in Tier 2 now worried that they will be ordered to cease trading within days.

The BGC has also written to local leaders in Tier 2 areas urging them to oppose the forced closure of betting shops and casinos due to the lack of evidence that they spread the virus.

In his letter to the Secretary of State, Mr Dugher said: “There are currently just over 6,700 shops employing nearly 40,000 staff across the country, the majority of which are female.The singling out of betting shops for closure is unfair, unnecessary and runs counter to the sensible approach the Government had previously adopted. This decision looks ill-informed, arbitrary, and along with plans to close Covid-secure casinos (that had offered to give up selling alcohol) it frankly looks anti-gambling industry. It will have a hugely negative impact on our businesses and staff, despite their efforts to ensure a very safe environment for customers that is well beyond any other non-essential retail business.”

“From the beginning of the pandemic, betting shops and casinos have played their full role in the national effort to tackle this virus,” he added. “It is therefore hugely disappointing that as they are starting to get back on their feet again, those venues in Merseyside and Lancashire have had the rug pulled from under them. And given the inconsistencies between the approaches in Liverpool and Lancashire when it comes to gyms and leisure centres, it gives the impression that the people who make these decisions don’t care about jobs in betting shops and casinos.

“The simple fact is that there is no evidence that closing betting shops and casinos will slow the spread of Covid-19 and any impact from their closure will be negligible. They have followed the public health guidance to the letter, and in many cases have gone above and beyond what is required of them. It means that 3,400 hardworking employees in Merseyside and Lancashire will have to stay at home instead of generating the tax revenue that the Treasury so desperately needs. And horseracing, which receives millions of pounds every year from betting shops, will also see its revenue fall further at a time when it is already suffering because of the ban on spectators.

Mr Dugher also pointed out that SAGE, the committee of scientific experts advising the Government on its Covid response, has pointed out that high street shops have a “very minimal impact” on the spread of the virus.

He added: “I therefore would like to ask for your support to intervene on behalf of betting shops, an important part of high street retail and an industry that contributes over £3bn in tax every year. I share 100 per cent the Government’s determination to tackle the spread of Covid. The decision to close betting shops won’t help with that, but it does put in jeopardy an industry that will be much-needed to help power the economy and the Exchequer to recovery.”

Caption: Genting Casino in Southport

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