Betting and Gaming Council welcomes plans to re-open Scottish casinos and bingo halls and a boost to betting shops as machines allowed back on
Plans to re-open Scottish casinos and bingo halls have been welcomed by the Betting and Gaming Council.
The Scottish Government have given the venues an indicative date of 24 August for when they can emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown. The announcement came as casinos in England prepare to re-open on 1 August, having put in place a range of measures to ensure the safety of staff and customers.
They include Perspex screens, hand sanitisation equipment, track and tracing mechanisms and strict social distancing measures.
Scotland’s 11 casinos, which employ around 800 people, have also gone above and beyond what is required to ensure their venues are Covid-secure. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the latest easing of the country’s coronavirus lockdown in a statement to the Scottish Parliament.
It has also been confirmed that Scottish betting shops will be allowed to switch their gaming machines back on from 24 August, after their concerns were raised by the BGC.
Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC, said: “We are delighted that casinos and bingo halls in Scotland have finally been given a date to re-open.
“They have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring the safety of their staff and customers, and it’s great that this has been recognised by the Scottish Government.
“We’re already looking forward to casinos in England opening their doors again this weekend, and I hope that their Welsh colleagues will soon be receiving the same good news.
“I’m also very pleased that the Scottish Government has listened to our concerns about betting shops having to switch off their gaming machines. It’s great that they will be back on again from 24 August.”
