English Betting Shops to Reopen in April

Betting shops in England are set to reopen on April 12, with adult gaming centres, bingo halls and casinos scheduled to follow on May 17, according to the UK government’s plan to reopen the economy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a “roadmap out of lockdown” in Parliament, with a phased reopening of society starting from March 8. 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 that betting shops will open in the second stage – starting on April 12 . Other gaming venues will all open in stage three – expected to start on May 17.

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 step. This means an earlier step being pushed back would see subsequent steps pushed back by the same time.