Gambling industry body the Betting and Gaming Council has welcomed today’s budget from the UK Chancellor, which includes grants of up to £6,000 per premises for non-essential retail businesses including betting shops.

Grants of up to £18,000 will be available for venues that are only allowed to open later, such as casinos.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak also announced an extension of the government’s job retention scheme for furloughed employees and an extension of business rates relief.

The “restart grants” are intended to provide more certainty to businesses that faced closures.

“These steps will help to support the 44,000 people who work in the retail betting shops and land-based casinos,” the BGC said.

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said he was glad to see the Government provide support after a difficult 2020 where thousands lost their jobs.