The UK Government has announced a support package for workers. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has strongly welcomed the government’s unprecedented response to the threat posed to millions of jobs from the coronavirus, as betting shops and casinos ordered to shut down.

BGC had previously called for government intervention, similar to those introduced in Spain and Denmark, to make grants available to support salaries and keep people in jobs.

The support package includes 80% of wages up to £2500 cap backdated to 1st March and initially open for 3 months. The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme would now be interest-free for twelve months. The package provides support for the self-employed and deferred next quarter’s VAT payments.

BGC said its members will co-operate fully with the latest rules introduced by the Government to combat the spread of the virus in the UK.

Michael Dugher, BGC chief executive said:

“Our industry will cooperate completely with the Government’s latest advice. More importantly, we are determined to play our full part in this historic national effort to beat the virus, protect businesses and safeguard jobs.”

“We will be scrutinising carefully the package of measures announced by the Chancellor to ensure our members and their hardworking, valued staff get the full benefit of this. We will also be pressing the Chancellor to be consistent and do the right thing by people in our industry by giving them the same access to help on business rates that every other leisure business enjoys and who have now similarly been asked to temporarily shutdown.”

“We will also be pressing the Chancellor to be consistent and do the right thing by people in our industry by giving them the same access to help on business rates that every other leisure business enjoys and who have now similarly been asked to temporarily shutdown.”

“Casinos and betting shops together support the majority of employment in the betting and gaming industry – around 64,000 jobs. Without the ability to generate revenue from football and horseracing, which account for 75 per cent of the UK licensed sports betting market, these employment costs were simply unsustainable going forward.”

“Whilst we are naturally sad to see our doors closed, we hope that this decisive action taken by the Government will see the whole country come through this crisis and that our businesses, and those who work for them, will prosper in the future as we continue to work hard to raise standards and bring enjoyment to our millions of customers.”