The Welsh government has announced a lockdown, known as the ‘firebreak’, which will begin on 23 October and continue until 9 November. This lockdown will replace existing local restrictions and will apply to all residents of Wales. Similar to the previous UK-wide lockdown earlier this year, individuals will be required to stay at home and work remotely. Consequently, pubs, restaurants, non-essential shops, and entertainment venues such as betting shops and casinos will be closed. Additionally, during this period, people will be prohibited from meeting with individuals from other households, and face coverings must be worn in all indoor public spaces.
In response to the ongoing pandemic, Public Health Wales reported 4,127 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 between 9 and 15 October. Therefore, the seven-day rolling incidence rate for the country now stands at over 130 cases per 100,000 population. To support businesses during this difficult time, the Welsh government has pledged an assistance package of nearly £300m, which supplements existing wage-support schemes offered by the UK government.
However, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has requested additional targeted support for the gambling industry in Wales, as it has already been significantly impacted by previous and ongoing restrictions. Welsh casinos were compelled to close in March and did not reopen until late August. The BGC has urged the government to provide the necessary financial aid for affected businesses, including 366 betting shops and three casinos employing a total of 2,000 individuals. The BGC has consistently criticized the UK government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis concerning the gambling industry. Just last week, it condemned the imposition of mandatory closures on all gambling venues in the English regions of Merseyside and Lancashire as part of new local lockdown measures. The BGC has previously argued that the closure of casinos was unnecessary, as there was no evidence linking these establishments to the spread of the virus.
