BGC warns of 4,500 job losses if “draconian” Scottish betting shop restrictions continue
Trade body claims 900 betting shops are at risk with racing also under threat due to Covid-19
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has called on the Scottish government to end “draconian” Covid-19 restrictions on the country’s betting shops, warning that 4,500 jobs could be at risk.
Scotland’s 900 betting shops have been open since 29 June, albeit under heavy restrictions. The limitations include agreeing not to show live races, removing all chairs and the switching off of all on-premise gambling machines.
The BGC has claimed these restrictions have resulted in a 95% decline in betting shop turnover, placing the long-term future of sector employees at risk.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week said the government was looking to get Scottish businesses “trading viably as quickly as possible”, with pubs and outdoor hospitality venues set to reopen today.
However, BGC CEO Michael Dugher questioned why the Scottish government has chosen to ignore warnings from BGC members over the effect of restrictions on betting shop operators.
“Our members warned in advance that the draconian restrictions being proposed by the Scottish government were unnecessary and would have a devastating impact on their businesses and sadly they have been proved right,” said Dugher.
“Nicola Sturgeon was right to say she wanted every business ‘trading viably’ but the Scottish government is single-handedly wrecking the viability of hundreds of betting shops in Scotland.
“Scottish betting shops are bracing themselves for closures and there are thousands of jobs at stake unless Sturgeon rethinks,” Dugher added.
In other parts of the UK, betting shops have been allowed to reopen under strict social distancing measures, with the provision of hand sanitiser and screens to protect staff now common practice.
Similar measures have now been introduced in Scotland.
The BGC also highlighted Scottish racing, which is currently experiencing declining revenue due to the absence of media rights payments from Scottish betting shop operators affected by the restrictions.
“Making bookies open without any chairs or live racing shows a complete misunderstanding of how they operate. Customers don’t sit in for hours – they like to pop in for a bet and then sit down and watch how their horse or greyhound got on,” Dugher claimed.
“I’ve seen how betting shops elsewhere in the UK have been able to reopen perfectly safely with social distancing and anti-Covid measures like screens and hand sanitisers, and the exact same measures are in place in Scotland.
“We would urge Nicola Sturgeon to intervene before it’s too late,” concluded Dugher.