'Boost for jobs' as Scottish bookies reopen their doors after latest lockdown

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has hailed "another step towards normality" as betting shops in Scotland reopened their doors on Monday.

Around 750 shops began trading for the first time in four months as Scotland emerges from the latest Covid lockdown, with the reopening coming two weeks after betting shops in England and Wales returned to business for the first time this year.

As well as their own anti-Covid measures, such as Perspex screens and hand sanitisation facilities, the shops will abide by a number of restrictions introduced by the Scottish government, including the switching off of gaming machines, lower TV volumes and a requirement to provide contact details for Scotland's test and protect programme.

According to the BGC, Scotland's betting shops employ 4,000 people and pay £80 million in tax and £6m in business rates a year.

Betting and Gaming Council chief executive Michael Dugher

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said: "Following the safe reopening of betting shops in England and Wales this month, Scottish shops getting back to business is another step towards normality and a welcome boost for jobs on the high street in Scotland."

A recent report by Ernst & Young commissioned by the BGC claimed the UK's betting shops support 46,000 jobs and pay nearly £1 billion a year in tax to the Treasury, as well as providing £350m for horseracing through media rights and the levy.

Dugher added of the reopening in Scotland: "It's great news for their staff and customers, and of course it's an important source of funding for horseracing.

"As we look forward to a great summer of sport, Scottish punters will once again be able to safely enjoy a flutter on the high street."

The restrictions for bookmakers in Scotland differ to those in place for England and Wales. Scottish betting shops are allowed to have televisions on and, while bookmakers have been asked to minimise dwell time, there is no set time limit for how long customers can stay in a shop.

However, gaming machines must be switched off, unlike England and Wales where a maximum of two are allowed to operate.

John Heaton: 'We are just going to have to live with it'

John Heaton, chairman of independent chain Scotbet, said: "The main problem is the fact we have no machines. It's not as if we can save any costs, so opening is going to be a loss maker.

"We have three weeks before we can have the machines, so it's not as if it's months and months. We are just going to have to live with it."

Heaton is also unhappy at the lack of support high street bookmakers have received in Scotland.

He added: "My other real big gripe is that every other shop on the high street, including arcades, got two years' free rates.

"I've had to pay rates on all my shops for two years when we've been shut most of the time for the last 12 months. I just cannot understand why anybody thinks that's fair."

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