Gambling firm Genting Casino is considering closing three of its outlets with job losses across its remaining 29 sites across the UK. The company has written to workers outlining its plans as it battles losses caused by the coronavirus lockdown.

It is understood three casinos – in Torquay, Bristol and possibly in Margate – are potentially to close permanently, and an undisclosed number of jobs will be lost across all the business’ 32 venues.

The workers are being represented by GMB, the union for leisure and hospitality workers, which has warned that proposals to close the three casinos are “just the start” for the nation’s leisure and hospitality sector, which is at breaking point.

In the statement sent by chief executive Paul Willcock to employees, he said: “The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges.”

Mr Willcock went on to say there was a “huge financial impact on our business and…significant uncertainty for the foreseeable future,” and added: “I am therefore forced to contemplate some very difficult options to ensure survival.”

Matt Roberts, GMB Union South West regional organiser, said: “GMB will explore every avenue with Gentings to try and keep these jobs, no matter how hopeless the situation in the sector may appear.

“The casinos, like other leisure venues, have done their duty and complied with the lockdown, following the Prime Minister’s instructions and utilising the Government’s furlough scheme.

“As the scheme ends, GMB fears this is just the beginning of widespread job losses across the sector that will hit local communities hard.

“If the Government wants this country to retain a leisure and hospitality industry, we need to see support measures continue, in some form, that we can gradually wean the businesses off as the situation hopefully improves over the next year or so.

“Otherwise there will be very little hospitality and leisure businesses left for the public to go back to.”