Betting and Gaming Council welcomes confirmation Scottish casinos will re-open safely on 24 August
The Betting and Gaming Council has welcomed confirmation that Scottish casinos will re-open their doors on 24 August.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement as she outlined further easing of the Covid-19 lockdown in Scotland.
Casinos north of the Border have been closed since March as part of the national effort to slow down the spread of the virus.
Since then they have worked round the clock to ensure their premises are safe to re-open for both staff and customers.
Measures include Perspex screens, hand sanitisation stations, sophisticated track and trace regimes and strict social distancing guidelines.
BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said the Scottish Government deserved credit for listening to business.
However, he said ministers should continue to engage with the sector to ensure ongoing restrictions are practical and necessary.
The announcement follows the re-opening of casinos in England on 15 August.
Between them, the UK’s 125 casinos employ 14,000 people and contribute £300m a year to the Treasury in tax.
Mr Dugher said: “This is welcome news and the Scottish Government deserves credit for listening to businesses.
“Like their colleagues in England, Scottish casinos have gone above and beyond what was required of them to ensure they comply with all of the Government’s Covid guidelines.
“Scottish casino workers can now look forward to providing an excellent service to their many customers and doing their bit in supporting the UK’s economic recovery.
“I would urge the Scottish Government to continue engaging with the sector to understand the anti-Covid measures they have in place - which are superior to much of the rest of the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries - to ensure proposed restrictions meet safety requirements but are practical and necessary.
“I would also call on the Welsh government to follow England and Scotland’s lead by giving their casinos the green light to open their doors again.”
