Betting Shops in England May Reopen in Time for Royal Ascot

Betting shops in England have received a major boost with the news that they can potentially reopen in time for Royal Ascot.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that “non-essential retail” outlets will be expected to be able to open from June 15 if the government’s five tests are met and they follow the Covid-19 guidelines around issues such as social distancing.

The government’s guidance made reference to the “frequent cleaning of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly,” including “betting terminals.”

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The news was welcomed by the Betting and Gaming Council. A spokesperson said: “With racing returning soon, we welcome the fact that betting shops across the country will be able to open their doors again on June 15. Our members are working hard to prepare shops for reopening and to ensure a safe environment for customers with social distancing and hygiene measures in place.”

“Bookies employ nearly 50,000 hard-working staff, who have all played their part in the national effort to combat the spread of Covid-19, and we now look forward to providing customers with the best possible experience as lockdown eases,” the spokesperson added.

GVC Holdings said: “We are well prepared to open some of our shops in June and will be following the Covid-19 secure guidance.”