Land-based casinos from all around the globe have been forced to close their doors due to the COVID-19 situation.
But more than 6 months into the pandemic, casinos in the United States began to reopen their doors.
Despite an increasing number of cases, the UK has decided to follow the United States in reopening its casinos.
As from August, casinos in the UK will be allowed to reopen, but it’s still unclear whether they will need to adhere to any specific regulations.
Great News for England, Not So Much for Wales and Scotland
Casinos in England will be the only ones reopening their doors in August, at the time of press.
The Scottish and Welsh health authorities will need to approve the reopening of casinos in their respective jurisdictions.
That leaves around 2,000 people still unsure of when they will return to work, with many fearing the same fate as 1,642 staff from Genting.
Genting is one of the United Kingdom’s largest casino operators, and despite the fact that it can reopen its venues in August, it has decided to lay off 1,642 members of staff.
If Wales and Scotland don’t get a move on and reopen their casinos, we could see operators from these regions cutting their head count significantly.
Less Organized than the US
The United States has been rather vigorous with its casino reopening plan, putting guidelines in place that must be adhered to.
For example, in Las Vegas, casinos can only operate at half capacity with limited players on all games.
However, in the UK no such legislature or regulations have been passed, meaning casinos can technically open for business as usual.
This week people are being told that it’s now the law to wear face masks inside establishments, but many feel it’s too late for this step.
Since COVID-19 lockdowns were lifted in the UK, people have been allowed to roam around without face coverings, leading many people to brand the move as totally pointless.
The government hasn’t said whether casinos will need to enforce the face mask situation or whether there will be limits on the number of patrons allowed inside casinos.
This comes at a time when cases are back on the rise in the UK, forcing the elderly and infirm to once again fear for their lives.
Excited to Return to Normal
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has said that it’s excited to get back to normal and help the country begin to recover.
Speaking in a statement, Michael Dugher, BGC Chief Executive, said:
“After four long months of lockdown, it’s fantastic to see casinos will reopen safely for business again on 1 August. I am delighted that they can now play their part in supporting the recovery of the tourism and hospitality sector.”
The UK Government had proposed to reopen betting shops and gambling halls on July 4, but for casinos to remain closed indefinitely.
Dugher argued greatly against the stance the government took, and it appears as if the move has paid off.
If you’re in the UK and you’re going to visit the casino, please follow social distancing guidelines and wear your face covering.
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