BGC calls for government assistance to protect “high-end” London casinos
Trade body advocates “decisive action” to save eight of London’s highest profile casinos including Les Ambassadeurs and Crockfords
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has written to UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, urging him to take “decisive action” to assist eight of London’s high-end casinos as they look to bounce back from lockdown.
The trade body has claimed the venues, which include Mayfair stalwart Les Ambassadeurs, Crown London Aspinalls and Crockfords Club could be forced to close without an urgent change to “outdated” UK casino legislation.
The BGC has referenced section 81 of the 2005 Gambling Act, which forces so-called high rolling players visiting the UK to use cheques in order to play, something which it claims has become “increasingly expensive and outdated” with the advent of new technology.
As an alternative, the group has called on the government to allow casinos to provide a fully regulated advance funds facility to players from abroad to enable them to settle with one transaction at the end of their trip, something they are currently barred from doing.
BGC CEO Michael Dugher highlighted the need to promote Britain to foreign visitors, both during the pandemic and after the UK leaves the European Union next year following the transition period.
“It is now essential that the chancellor acts swiftly to facilitate this small change, which would have a massive impact on the ability of high-end casinos to re-open again and to recover their business,” said Dugher.
“Cheques are a 20th century payment instrument that is no longer fit for the 21st century customer or the global banking environment, but there has to be a suitable replacement for those businesses that, through outdated law, are unable to transact with their customers any other way.
“Our high-end casinos are a major ingredient in London’s reputation as a ‘go-to’ destination for high-spending foreign tourists. This can all help to get the UK economy moving again,” the BGC CEO added.
Between them, the eight casinos employ 1,350 people, contributing around £150m a year in tax to the Treasury, as well as generating £188m for London’s GDP and at least £120m in additional tourism spend in the capital.
Casinos across England finally reopened on 15 August following an extension to the Covid-19 lockdown measures that had been in force since March.