Betting and Gaming Commission chief Michael Duggar appealed directly to Michael Gove and Secretary of State Matt Hancock, saying they would go much further than they already needed to make sure the location was COVID-safe.
The unprecedented proposal comes as six casinos were found to be closed for good this year, forcing one operator to cut its workforce by more than 40 percent.
Both casinos and betting shops have been operating safely since they reopened in the summer, with no evidence of contributing in any way to the spread of the coronavirus.
However, the government ruled that people in Tier 3 areas should be closed. Betting stores are the only part that is treated this way in non-essential high-priced retail stores.
In a letter to Cabinet Office Secretary Gove and Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Duggar outlined additional steps casinos and betting companies will take to lift the punishment rule.
Casinos say they are ready to stop playing live games such as table roulette, blackjack, and poker.
The number of people allowed inside the venue is limited to 25% of the capacity, and if it is allowed to operate even after the 10:00 p.m. curfew, which is usually up to 70% of the business, the sale of alcohol will be suspended altogether.
Meanwhile, betting companies say they will limit the amount of time customers stay on the premises, limit the number allowed in stores at a time, and close all vending and hot drink facilities
Both sectors are hoping that enhanced safety measures will convince the government to open in tier 3 zones once the current lockdown ends.
Among them, casinos and betting shops employ 54,000 people and pay £1.5 billion a year to the Treasury.
In addition, casinos generate £120 million a year in tourism costs, while betting companies pay £280 million a year for horse racing in media rights and levy payments.
In his letter, Mr Duggar said: “Our members fully support the Government’s efforts to tackle COVID-19. That’s why betting shops, in my view, have the strictest COVID-19 measures on behalf of other similar parts of the High Street, and casinos also have the best COVID-19 measures in their class compared to other parts of hospitality.
“As you can imagine, they are deeply concerned about the negative impact of business closures on employees, customers, suppliers and true sports, with minimal impact on the R rate.
“However, in order to further reassure you and the public that it is possible to start such a business in Tier 3, members have offered to introduce additional restrictions on customer numbers, facilities and products, for example.”
The president of BGC said, “The impact of the pandemic is already felt in the casino sector.
“There has been a significant decline in employment, with one operator cutting more than 40% of its workforce to date. The casino business had a strong balance sheet at the start of the year, and that is no longer the case for some businesses when the cost of closing is up to £15 million per month.”
Mr Duggar urged the Government to reconsider, saying: “I would greatly appreciate it if you could take these measures actively proposed by Members seriously and further ensure that it is safe to reopen in Tier 3 areas.
“Personally speaking, I fully understand your demands in this unprecedented crisis, and I send you all my support and sympathy. I hope you and your officials will be able to kindly review these proposals on behalf of so many businesses and thousands of employees.”프라그마틱 슬롯 사이트