I am delighted to report that casinos and bingo halls in England, Scotland, and Wales are set to reopen on 17th May as part of the country’s ongoing effort to ease COVID-19 restrictions. However, those in Northern Ireland will have to wait until 24th May.
Leading operators such as Grosvenor and Genting Casinos will be among the first to open their doors, with measures in place to ensure health and safety for all customers and employees. Grosvenor Casinos, for instance, will register every visitor at reception and offer protective screens at gaming machines and tables, while Genting Casinos will open 31 of its UK locations but keep four closed temporarily.
Mecca Bingo, owned by the Rank Group, which also operates Grosvenor Casinos, is confident of high demand, especially with many individuals who have taken to playing bingo online during the lockdown. The operator plans to offer a unique and attractive experience to attract a new audience.
UK casinos have faced a difficult period due to the pandemic, initially closing their doors in March 2020 and being unable to reopen until August of the same year, with curfews in place. Despite this, the Betting and Gaming Council has continuously highlighted the importance of the industry, which employs approximately 14,000 people, and has been calling for fair treatment throughout the pandemic.
It’s a long-awaited return, and I am looking forward to the sounds of chips clinking and balls rolling once again.
