Sportsbooks and casinos can now dispense with anti-Covid regulations from facemasks to social distancing. Also out are capacity limits at racetracks and for other events The Betting and Gaming Council trade group would like the U.K. to end travel restrictions too.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the country was on course to enter the final lockdown stage on July 19.
“We strongly welcome the government’s intention to remove the remaining Covid restrictions on July 19, which will provide a much-needed boost to the economy,” said CEO Michael Dugher.
“Casinos have spent millions of pounds on best-in-class anti-Covid measures,” Dugher continued, “and will continue to ensure their venues are as safe as possible for customers and staff once the remaining restrictions are lifted.”
According to a study by Ernst and Young, casinos in the country directly employ 11,600 people and before the pandemic contributed £500 million (US$690 million) a year in taxes.
U.K.’s betting shops account for 46,000 jobs and almost £1 billion in taxes to the Treasury in 2020. They pay around £60 million in business rates and help put £350 million into racing.
“The absence of crowds has been a bitter blow and I can’t wait to see venues safely operating at full capacity once again,” Dugher said.
In related news, Horse Racing Ireland has increased the capacity of patrons from 200 to 500 for outdoor events. According to the Racing Post, the organization said each racecourse decides its own capacity under the new capacity rules.
“We’ll continue to operate the protocols but will tweak them in certain areas. I think we’ll be looking to get some owners into the parade ring before races,” said Brain Kavanagh, HRI CEO.
Racehorse owners were allowed to attend races since June 7 if the total number of people in the track fell below 200. More than 1,000 attended the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at Curragh racecourse the last weekend of June as a test pilot situation, said SBC News. That prompted Galway’s Ballybrit Racecourse to prepare to accommodate 5,000 spectators for the upcoming seven-day Galway Races festival.
Although he did not comment on the proposed Galway plans, Kavanagh did reference the Curragh event, saying: “It was clear at the Curragh that more people could have fitted in there safely without having any impact [on adhering to protocols].
The HRI submitted its review of that trial. “We’ve sought similar trials, maybe with a few more people, at some further meetings. That is in the system,” Kavanagh said.
