If you’re wondering when betting shops reopen, the answer will depend on where you live. According to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, betting shops should reopen no earlier than 4 July. But other types of shops are allowed to reopen from 15 June, including antique stores, fashion shops, photography studios, gift shops, and dress fitters.
Various measures will remain in place in betting shops
The number of people allowed to enter a betting shop at any one time depends on the size of the shop. A maximum of eight people will be allowed at one time. Customers will also be limited to visiting the shop no more than twice a day and spending no longer than 15 minutes. Also, shops must close at 8 pm or earlier to prevent the spread of the virus.
Under the plans, betting shops will be able to reopen in England and Wales, but Scotland will remain closed until April 26. Lockdown regulations in Northern Ireland are being reviewed. Reopening betting shops is expected to boost British racing’s finances. Levy payments and media rights payments will resume after the ban expires.
Bookmakers will be allowed to open on eve of Royal Ascot
The UK Government has announced that bookmakers will be allowed to reopen their shops on the eve of Royal Ascot on June 15. The timing is ideal for bookmakers as the popular race will take place on the 16th. This will allow GVC, the parent company of Coral and Ladbrokes, to resume trading.
Previously, bookmakers were not allowed to reopen until the day after the race, but the government has ruled that non-essential shops can reopen as early as 15 June. Non-essential shops include antique stores, gift shops, photography studios, dress fitters, and fashion shops.
Adult gaming centres, bingo halls and casinos will reopen on 17 May
As part of a move to reduce the number of gambling-related incidents, the UK government is permitting adult gaming entertainment centres and bingo halls to reopen on 17 May. The closures have been in place since January, when a novel coronavirus prompted a lockdown in England, Scotland and Wales. A new variant of the virus, Covid-19, has been found in India and has led to a spike in cases in the UK.
However, the timing of reopening is uncertain. The government is relying on data gathered through Food Alert to guide its reopening plans. Whether casinos will reopen simultaneously with pubs depends on the level of infection the casino is operating under. Alternatively, casinos could reopen on the same day as pubs, if the UK has a level 3 infection.