Betting shops in England are set to reopen on 12 April, with adult gaming centres, bingo halls and casinos scheduled to follow on 17 May, according to the UK government’s plan to reopen the economy.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a “roadmap out of lockdown” in Parliament today, with a phased reopening of society starting from 8 March.
The roadmap documents did not include any specific mention of betting shops, casinos, bingo halls or adult gaming centres.
However, a Downing Street spokesperson confirmed to iGB that betting shops will open in the second stage – starting on 12 April.
Other gaming venues will all open in stage three – expected to start on 17 May.
Johnson said that all stages of reopening would depend on data about the spread of the virus and that there would be at least five weeks between each steps. This means an earlier step being pushed back would see subsequent steps pushed back by the same time.