Are Betting Shops Open Today? When Will They Reopen?

Are betting shops open today? Are they allowed to stay open in Tier 3 areas? We are sure you are wondering this. As part of the new plans, all the betting shops in UK can reopen their doors from mid-April, as confirmed by PM Boris Johnson. We will use this very page to keep you updated about when and where betting shops will re-open or close.
Betting shops and bookies were closed under the third lockdown because they were classed as non-essential retail.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently revealed his roadmap out of lockdown and has allowed non-essential shops to reopen from mid-April. As a result, betting shopshave reopened April 12, just after the Grand National weekend. Other gaming venues, including casinos, will all open in stage three, which is expected to start on 17 May.

High street bookmakers in Wales were also able to open from Monday 12th April 2021 as part of the easing of the latest Covid-19 lockdown. As for Scotland, betting shops will not reopen until at least April 26.

The announcement naturally came as a boost to betting shop operators, although they will be fully aware of yet another potential lockdown, considering false dawns after previous reopenings.

All gambling venues in England were closed since early January, though many facilities have been closed longer due to regional restrictions imposed under the preceding tiered system.

Under the new rules, shops in England and Wales have reopened with several restrictions in place. There is no live sports on TV screens, no chairs and the number of customers will be limited. Customers are limited to a maximum of two visits per day and shops will close at 8pm.

These are in addition to the anti-Covid measures which betting shops had already installed during the first lockdown. Other measures include: hands sanitising, disinfection of high-traffic areas and touch points, contactless payments, rules about the use of pens, sneeze screens and limitations on customers.

Can Betting Shops Reopen In Tier 3? 

Since 2 December, England has returned to a tiered system of coronavirus restrictions. The UK Government has confirmed that betting shops can reopen in areas under Tier 3 measures.

With guidance from Government and Public Health bodies, they have introduced new safeguarding equipment and processes to enable you to gamble safely.

High-street bookmakers are limiting the length of time customers can stay in their premises, cap the number allowed in their shops at any one time as well as close all of their vending and hot drink facilities.

Bookmakers are asking their customers to keep in mind the following safety measures:

• Leave plenty of time to place your bet
• Pay by card if you want to avoid cash handling
• Use complimentary touchscreen pens when playing machines
• Wash your hands regularly or use complimentary hand sanitiser in shop

When will casinos reopen in UK? 

Entertainment businesses and venues, including casinos, have closed under lockdown.

But from May 17, indoor hospitality venues will be allowed to reopen once more.

Casinos fall under this category and it is understood they will be allowed to reopen from this point too.

On reopening, land-based casino will re-introduce many safety measures.

Hand sanitisers before entering the casino, as well as when joining and leaving a gaming table. Only a small number of people will be allowed to sit at each table in order to reduce the risk of infection, while face coverings will be made available to customers on request

Which sports will be cancelled due to lockdown? 

Most of the sporting events will not be postponed or called off this time.

Horse racing meetings and other elite sports will be able to continue staging action behind closed doors, unlike in the original lockdown during the spring.

The period covers many anticipated sporting events, including the November meeting at Cheltenham, Haydock’s Betfair Chase card and the Ladbrokes Trophy fixture at Newbury, as well as at least three rounds of Premier League football fixtures.

At least, a good news for an industry that was almost completely stopped last year.

For example, the Grand National in April 2020, the biggest horseracing event in the UK and one of the biggest betting days of the year, was cancelled and replaced by the Virtual Grand National with bookmakers donating all profits - around £2.5 million - to NHS.