The UK government last week said it would allow casinos in Britain to reopen on August 15. They were supposed to open on August 1 but the government postponed opening for two weeks to August 15 and this time didn’t enforce another delay.
“We regret that it has taken so long for staff to return to work – long after all manner of venues and activities, that don’t have anything like the anti-Covid measures you will see in any casino, were reopened,” Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) Chief Executive Michael Dugher said
“Given casinos had been cleared by Public Health England as safe to reopen and given we had the strong support of DCMS, who have been steadfast throughout, it was lamentable that our safe businesses had to suffer considerable hurt and expense with a further pointless two week delay.”
The delay has cost the industry more than £14 million (US$18.3 million), and as many as 6,000 jobs may be permanently lost had the delays continue, according to SBC News. Meanwhile, pubs and restaurants are permitted to do business.
Dugher said the delay has only made things worse for the industry, which he said would have a long slog to return to profitability.
“The last five months has left many casinos on the brink and the next few months will be particularly crucial to their recovery as the tourism, leisure and hospitality sector slowly gets back on its feet,” he said. “This sector can play an important part in our national economic recovery and I hope ministers will continue to work closely with the industry to provide support through this difficult period.”
SpringOwl Asset Management CEO Jason Ader, a longtime gaming observer, said the delays may have been a “blessing in disguise” for the British industry.
“As a casino owner, what’s the rush to open just to lose money? I know everyone wants to get back to casinos but in perspective of the owners, they’re going to be writing cheques every month to cover losses,” Ader told Gambling Insider.
“I think casinos will be lucky to break even over the next 12 to 18 months, but more likely they’re going to lose.
“I definitely think they’ll be a recovery, it’s just going to take time which is the key. 2022 has the potential to be a more normalized year.”
Casinos in Scotland and Wales will remain closed. The Scottish government, however, has said casinos there could reopen on August 24. Dugher pleaded with Wales to follow suit.
“Casinos have invested heavily in new Covid safeguards; there can be no justification for further delaying their opening,” he said.
“We continue to urge the Welsh government to fully engage with the sector and seek the reassurances we can provide to bring about the safe reopening of casinos in Wales.”
Should the delay be extended, the BGC said it would demanded that the government extend furlough payments for casino employees impacted by the decision to postpone the reopening of the casinos for at least two weeks.
“World famous and iconic venues like the Hippodrome and Les Ambassadeurs are not just part of our proud past, they want to be part of economic revival in the future,” said Dugher. “They are not looking for a hand-out.”
The BGC has documented the destructive economic and community consequences of sidelining casinos poised to reopen. “Casino operators have done everything asked of them by Public Health England,” Dugher said. “They have gone to extraordinary lengths and cost to ensure their venues are Covid-secure.”
