GB casinos primed to reopen from 4 July, BGC says
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) said its land-based casino operator members in England will be ready to reopen from 4 July, after over three months closed due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Last month, the UK government said hospitality and leisure facilities may be able to reopen as part of the third and final phase of its plans to ease the restrictions related to Covid-19, subject to approval.
The measures would initially only apply to casinos in England, and all facilities would be required to operate in line with strict hygiene and social distancing measures to help slow the spread of the virus.
Casinos, which have been closed since 20 March, prior to the UK entering into a state of lockdown on 23 March, must ensure customers use hand sanitisers before entering the venue, as well as when joining or leaving a gaming table.
Customers will only be permitted to enter casinos one at a time, with two-metre social distancing enforced in queues. Casinos will also be required to introduce table capacity limits, as well as provide face coverings to punters on request.
Other measures include adjusting the floor layout to allow for social distancing, as well as cleaning machines after each play session and sanitising ATMs at least once an hour.
Plexiglass screens may also be used where necessary in order to maintain social distancing and protect staff and customers, while employees will be trained in the new measures to ensure punters are complying.
“I know that the casino operators have been working tirelessly to ensure that when they do reopen for business again, every possible measure will be in place to ensure the health and safety of everyone who enters the premises,” BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said.
“It is welcome that they are in line to reopen again from 4 July, but the message to government now is that they are ready, willing and able to open safely.”
The BGC noted that not all casinos would be able to reopen from 4 July due to the travel restrictions in place for people visiting the UK. Currently rules state that anyone entering the UK is required to go into quarantine for a period of 14 days.
As overseas tourists make up the vast majority of customers for some high-end casinos, the BGC said travel restrictions would need to ease before there is any prospect of their doors reopening.
“We know that the casino sector faces some very tough times ahead and the threat posed by Covid-19 to many businesses won’t go away quickly,” Dugher said. “That’s why we would also urge the government to continue to be flexible in their approach to the hospitality and leisure industry as its furlough scheme is wound down.
“Even though they will be ready to open their doors on 4 July, casinos will still be forced to operate at a reduced capacity for some time to come because of the need to maintain social distancing.
“We would urge the Chancellor to keep being flexible and continue providing support as the country emerges from the pandemic.”