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Tensions Rise Over Unnecessary Scottish Casino Closures
By Shane Addinall Nov 07, 2020 IndustryCasino bosses and the Betting and Gambling Council issue a plea to the First Minister of Scotland to remove casinos from the shutdown restrictions imposed by Level 2 regulations in the country.It was only recently that most casinos in the UK opened their doors to begin trading again under a much stricter and more sanitary regime, after the country’s hard lockdown.
The gambling industry was given the green light to trade from the 24th of August, but just weeks later faces closures again after Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement. The recent announcement stated that all casinos would be required to shut under level 2 restrictions.
This time, the uproar seems more vehement, as it is strongly believed within the industry that going to such great lengths again is unnecessary. Not to mention, these restrictions are potentially catastrophic for job losses and the economy of the country.
Stats Don’t Support the Sentence
Casino bosses in Scotland have called on the Scottish First Minister to remove Scottish casinos from Level 2 shutdown restrictions. The general consensus is that they are being treated unfairly, as other company types within the hospitality industry are allowed to continue to trade under certain understandable parameters.
The 11 casinos in Scotland have all gone through great lengths to ensure that their premises are some of the safest facilities in the country. Top names like Grosvenor have implemented state of the art customer tracking systems, erected screens between players in public spaces, enforced social distancing, implemented staff training, and practice extensive cleaning protocols.
Paul Strachan, the Gaming Supervisor at The Riverboat Casino in Glasgow, has related that their staff had undergone extra extensive training to prepare for trade under these unique circumstances. They have learned to practice strict protocols to curb the pandemic in their facilities – to the point that they clean every chip at each table numerous times. Now that’s dedication!
Mr John O’Reilly, the head of Grosvenor Casinos Owner Rank, released a lengthy statement to the minister, citing his disbelief at the government’s decisions. A portion of his statement reads:
“Thus far, across the UK, we have had over 400,000 customer visits from over 135,000 customers and we are aware of just two cases of customers having been positively tested for the coronavirus, neither of which have been in Scotland. Our venues are indisputably Covid-secure. Why must they therefore close in Level 2 whilst other hospitality industries can remain open?”
Customer tracking has revealed that casinos pose little risk to the spread of the virus and are possibly better equipped to handle service in these times than most retail stores and other businesses that remain open.
Possible Fallout
Job loss is a very real threat and the loss of revenue for government coffers is sure to put a strain on the economy.
In a normal year, the government benefits from £30 million in revenues from these 11 casinos, which is sure to take a massive dip as a result of this year’s hardships. The casino bosses warn that this latest decision will make an even bigger impact on the government’s income.
The Betting and Gaming Council has backed the casino industry. It said that the previous 10 pm curfew implemented on UK casinos has already affected the revenues, which are now 70% down from the same point in 2019.
Though not convenient, the industry is prepared to stop serving alcohol if it means that it can remain open. They are prepared for negotiations, but it seems that a hard shutdown would be just too much to absorb at this point.
WHO Knows Best?
Dr Nabarro of the World Health Organisation has warned countries against lockdowns, stating:
“Lockdowns just have one consequence that you must never, ever belittle, and that is making poor people an awful lot poorer.”
While the leaders of the free world are looking for any excuse not to close down the industry, why is it that the Scottish government is intent on doing the opposite?
As strong pleas from the marketplace are being made, we hope that the First Minister hears the logic in their argumentation. Meeting the industry half-way with a suitable compromise will work towards the preservation of life and the bolstering of the economy at the same time.
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