BGC criticises Scottish Government’s “baffling” gaming machine U-turn

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has criticised a decision by the Scottish Government to backtrack on the lifting of betting shop restrictions.

BGC

Earlier this month, the Scottish Government agreed to lift a number of restrictions which had been placed on the nation’s betting shops since they reopened on 29 June after a period of COVID-19 forced closures.

These restrictions included the removal of chairs from betting shops and bans on live racing on TV and the use of gaming machines.

Although agreeing to lift the restrictions on 22 July, the Scottish Government has ordered betting shops to once again shut down their gaming machines in what the BGC has described as an “apparent U-turn.”

According to the BGC, Scottish restrictions have led to a fall in turnover of up to 95% for some betting shops.

In a letter to BGC CEO Michael Dugher explaining the decision, a Scottish Government official described a desire to “have a consistent approach regarding the use of gaming machines while always keeping people safe.”

Brigid Simmonds, chairman of the BGC, commented: “We are extremely disappointed by the Scottish Government’s decision, which directly contradicts what they told us previously.

“I would urge ministers in Scotland to urgently reconsider this baffling decision and revert to the position they had less than a week ago.”

Premium+ Connections
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium Connections
Consultancy
Executive Profiles
Soft2Bet
Scientific Games
Digitain Malta
Follow Us

Facing Facts: Q3 2024 analysis

Gambling Insider takes a look at the Q3 results of operators...

Taking stock: The final count of 2024

Gambling Insider tracks operator and supplier prices of some...

CEO Special: Flutter CEO Peter Jackson – Playing to win

As the biggest publicly traded operator in gambling meets th...

CEO Special: Holland Casino CEO Petra de Ruiter – High flier

Petra de Ruiter, Holland Casino CEO, speaks to Gambling Insi...

A welcome from your host

A message from the Founder of the Global Gaming Awards and G...

From the event manager

A message from the Event Manager of the Global Gaming Awards...

From the Awards adjudicator

KPMG in the Crown Dependencies is the official voting adjudi...

The process

The Global Gaming Awards have deservingly earned the reputat...