Rank Group MD fumes at “aggressive and needless attack” on land-based sector

Rank Group MD Jonathon Swaine has slammed the UK government as land-based gambling venues temporarily close across Tier-3 regions of the UK due to Covid-19.

Areas including Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire are being moved to Tier 3 from 23 October and will be subject to the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions.

Rank’s Grosvenor Casino and Mecca Bingo venues will be forced to close, striking another financial blow for the firm after previous closures during lockdown earlier this year.

Swaine described the venues as “ultra Covid-secure” after extensive health and safety precautions were managed by staff in the hope of keeping the venues open.

“The enforced closure of our ultra Covid-secure casinos is senseless,” he said. “At first we thought that the decisions being made were arbitrary but it’s now clear that our casinos are being subjected to an aggressive and needless attack by decision-makers who clearly understand nothing of just how safe casinos are and appear determined to damage the land-based betting and gaming industry for the sake of it.

“Venues such as pubs are able to remain open and serve alcohol if they also sell a meal, which leaves gambling venues as the only ones ordered by government to shut up shop. It is grossly unfair.”

Swaine said there is no evidence to prove betting venues increase the spread of Covid-19 and argued that casinos support huge numbers of jobs while paying up to 50% in tax to the Exchequer.

Rank Group MD Jonathon Swaine

He added: “We have offered to close our casino bars in exchange for permission to trade but are still being forced to close and we’re yet to see or hear of a single shred of evidence that supports that decision.

“It’s a targeted attack on betting and gaming premises, the tens of thousands of employees and customers in this sector and the time has come to call it out for what it is.”

Swaine’s thoughts are mirrored by billionaire Betfred owner Fred Done.

The private operator is also being forced to close retail outlets with more than 1,100 betting shops set to close across the north of England from Friday.

Around 1,500 Betfred staff have seen wages reduced to 80% in empty venues.

“Our staff have worked tirelessly to make our shops Covid-19 secure and I have not seen any evidence that betting shops are sources of community transmission,” said Done.

“I have also not seen any evidence that betting shops are any different to other non-essential retail outlets that are remaining open.

“We support measures that will stop the spread of disease but the restrictions on betting shops have not been properly thought through and are not evidence-based,” he added.

In September, the Betting and Gaming Council warned 50% of land-based casino jobs could be lost as a result of further restrictions.