Efforts by the government of the UK to give relief to businesses impacted by the coronavirus shutdown will now include gaming companies, an action that was greeted enthusiastically last week by the British Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).
Recently, the government of Boris Johnson closed casinos and betting shops across the country to limit contagion from the virus. From that moment BGC campaigned for gaming operators to be included in a relief package, citing 64,000 jobs that were at risk.
The industry has also been beaten down by the cancellation and postponement of sporting events that fans would normally be beating on such as horse racing and football. This caused a “substantial drop in total gambling,” according to BGC’s Chief Executive Michael Dugher.
After the government included gaming in the relief proposal, Dugher commented “On top of the help on employment, extending help on business rates to all businesses that have had to shut down is another much-needed shot in the arm that will help to protect tens of thousands of jobs.” Dugher added, “Our industry will in turn do its absolute utmost to help with the fight against the virus and play our part in this historic national effort, including offering up staff and premises to help.”
