Betting and Gaming Council Approves Extension of Job Retention Program

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has expressed its approval of the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Program before England’s impending nationwide lockdown.

The BGC has expressed its approval of the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Program before England’s impending nationwide lockdown, which will persist until at least December 2nd. The month-long lockdown will commence on November 5th, with non-essential stores, leisure centers, pubs, eateries, and entertainment locations temporarily shutting down.

As with the initial lockdown, this will encompass the closure of all betting venues, including casinos, betting shops, bingo halls, and arcades. However, on this occasion, professional sports will be permitted to continue behind closed doors, in contrast to the first lockdown, which resulted in the cancellation of all sporting events.

The government has stated that the Coronavirus Job Retention Program will be extended to at least December 2nd due to the nationwide lockdown.

BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher welcomed the decision, stating that it would contribute to safeguarding jobs in the UK land-based betting sector.

He remarked: “The safety of our staff and patrons is of paramount importance to our industry, which is why we are eager to contribute to the national endeavor to conquer the virus.” “We also welcome the support being provided to businesses compelled to close during the second lockdown.”

The British gambling sector has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Gaming establishments were shuttered when the UK entered lockdown in March, and only began to resume operations in June, with betting shops opening initially, followed by bingo halls and then casinos.

However, further limitations were implemented to curb the spread of the virus, including a 10 pm closing time for casinos in England.

Under the government’s tiered system, some locations have been forced to shut down entirely, particularly in regions of England with elevated infection rates.

The UK Gambling Commission has expressed strong disapproval of these measures. They have urged the government to rely on scientific data when determining post-lockdown actions, enabling the safe reopening of establishments with a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission.

They stated that this would prevent unnecessary closures of casinos and betting shops.

“It is crucial that upon the conclusion of the lockdown, betting shops are permitted to reopen safely alongside other non-essential stores, as they did in June,” they stated. “Casinos possess some of the most robust safety protocols in place compared to other hotels and entertainment venues, thus they should be allowed to resume operations concurrently.”

As sports entities face difficulties, it’s essential for the government to acknowledge the significance of a robust wagering sector in supporting athletics, particularly equestrian racing. Wagering establishments are crucial for maintaining the viability of horse racing.

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