Customers can now place a bet in person for the first time in 2021 as owners eager to welcome back bettors

Betting shops in the UK and in Wales have been closed since the 26th of December and from today, the 12th of April, for the first time in 2021 these shops reopened.

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “It’s been a long three months for land-based betting shop staff, as well as their customers, and I know they’re all looking forward to safely getting back to business thanks to the best-in-class anti-Covid measures in place.”

Although betting shops were given the go ahead to reopen, measures are still in place.

This includes capacity limitation, elimination of chairs inside, where customers could gather, no live sports pictures, and a maximum of two gaming machines in operation.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I’m sure it will be a huge relief for those business owners who have been closed for so long, and for everyone else it’s a chance to get back to doing some of the things we love and have missed. I urge everyone to continue to behave responsibly and remember ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ to suppress Covid as we push on with our vaccination programme.”

Although betting shops are reopening in England and Wales, in Scotland they are to remain closed till the end of April. Shops are forced to close at 8pm and customers are limited to a maximum of two visits per day.

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