Hancock warns betting shops could close for months as travel bans add to woe

Betting shops in large parts of England could remain shut for months due to fears over a new strain of Covid-19, while the Irish and French governments on Sunday imposed temporary travel bans on Britain which left racing in limbo.

The severe damage to racing’s finances from the closure of betting shops in Tier 4 areas across England was compounded as Britain's health secretary Matt Hancock warned the measures may remain in place for months until a coronavirus vaccine is widely rolled out.

Although the cost to the racing industry is yet to be calculated, the closure of betting shops across all of England between November 5 and December 2 was estimated to have cost in the region of £12.5 million through a combination of lost media rights and levy.

In a further blow it was announced that Ireland and France are to put in place travel bans from Britain. That could have an immediate effect on Irish runners aimed at the Christmas meetings in Britain and those scheduled to race at Leopardstown.

It is yet to be announced how long the travel ban to Ireland will extend but it has initially been imposed for 48 hours from midnight on Sunday. Flights will be suspended and ferries limited to freight travel.

London and parts of the south-east and east of England have been moved into Tier 4, meaning non-essential retail outlets, including betting shops, had to close in those areas. That came as a bitter blow to the racing industry just weeks after shops reopened following the national lockdown.

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) estimates that approximately 3,000 UK betting shops were forced to close due to the latest restrictions.

Hancock said the measures may remain in place until a vaccine is widely rolled out and he told Sky News that could not be for a "couple of months".

He said: "We have to get that vaccine rolled out to keep people safe. Given how much faster this new variant spreads it's going to be very difficult to keep it under control until we have the vaccine rolled out.

"We have really got to get this under control. The cases in Tier 4 areas have absolutely rocketed in the last two weeks. We have a long way to go to solve this."

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher: "We fully support the determination of the UK government and devolved administrations to fight the spread of Covid-19 and protect our NHS.

"The announcement means betting shops in England sadly have closed in Tier 4 areas. Unfortunately, betting shops in Wales have also closed as part of the country’s full lockdown, while those in mainland Scotland and Northern Ireland will close from Boxing Day.

Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) chief executive Michael Dugher

"This is disappointing news for our staff and customers, but we hope to reopen safely once again as soon as possible. The good news is that, unlike the full lockdown last spring, there is plenty of live sport, including racing, for people to enjoy on television over the holidays."

The Christmas period is usually one of the busiest times of the year for bookmakers and Simon Clare, PR director for Ladbrokes Coral, is still confident a "significant" proportion of people can place a bet.

"These remain unique and challenging times, and while our betting shop colleagues and customers in some areas are being impacted, we are well used to implementing these measures operationally.

"A significant proportion of Ladbrokes and Coral customers are multi-channel players, so with loads of top-class racing, football and other live sport over the festive period, the majority of those who enjoy a flutter over this period will still be able to have their fun.

"The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase and the Coral Welsh Grand National are always in the top 20 betting races for the whole year, and with ITV Racing covering four consecutive days of action, racing fans and punters are going to be incredibly well served."

The BHA confirmed on Saturday racing will continue as normal in Tier 4 areas, but with no spectators allowed and owners subject to the same restrictions as during the national lockdown in November.

Racecourses in the affected areas had already moved their fixtures behind closed doors, including Kempton's two-day fixture starting on Boxing Day and featuring the Grade 1 King George VI Chase.

Read more:

Betting shops to shut in parts of England and Wales as PM delivers stark message

'We're ready to meet the demand' - Hereford keenly awaits first Tier 1 fixture

Christmas blow as key meetings go into Tier 3 and no Friday spectators at Ascot

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