BGC urges UK government to allow casinos to reopen on 4 July
CEO Michael Dugher calls for quick resolution to safeguard jobs and provide boost to UK’s economic recovery
The UK government has been implored by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) to reopen land-based casinos as part of the alleviation of lockdown measures across the leisure and hospitality industries.
Casinos were dealt a hammer blow by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June when it was revealed that unlike businesses such as pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels, they would not be opening their doors to the public with Covid-19 safety measures in place.
Following a visit to Rialto Casino in central London, BGC chief Michael Dugher has asked the government to “reconsider the decision” and “respond positively and quickly” to their previous decision.
Dugher detailed the fact that 120 casinos across the UK have deployed Covid-19 safety measures, including mass sanitisation, face coverings, plexiglass and one-player-per-table regulations.
The former Labour MP added: “I was hugely impressed by what I saw at the Rialto Casino. It’s obvious they have pulled out all the stops to make sure they can reopen safely. I know other operators from across the country are making similar efforts and investment.
“We were obviously disappointed by the government’s decision not to let casinos reopen again on 4 July, but I would urge ministers to look at the anti-Covid measures casinos have introduced, reconsider the decision to keep them closed and let casinos open their doors safely later in July.
“We want to play our part in kick starting the economy. In this time of great economic uncertainty, the contribution that casinos make to the nation’s finances cannot be underestimated.
“We hope that the government will respond positively and quickly – and avoid the threat of significant job losses,” he concluded.