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by Glenn Baird - June 1, 2020
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has asked the UK government to ‘keep being flexible’ following the latest update on the UK furlough scheme.
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed the Covid-19 Job Retention Scheme will continue, with the BGC acknowledging that some of its members ‘will be forced to operate at a reduced capacity for the foreseeable future’.
Sunak confirmed that the scheme will continue until October, helping to support the 64,000 people who work in the UK’s gambling industry.
The furlough scheme was introduced at the beginning of UK lockdown and was originally meant to run until July this year. The scheme sees those who are unable to work from home given 80% of their wages up to £2,500.
Whilst the scheme will remain available until October the amount being awarded will drop as of September, when only 70% of wages will be given via the government with employers expected to make up the 10% reduction. This number will fall by another 10% come October when the government will only furlough 60% of wages.
BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said: “Any help for businesses from the Government at this time of global crisis is of course welcome, and we thank the Chancellor for providing more clarity on how the furlough scheme will operate until the end of October.
“Even though the lockdown is easing, many of our member companies – and in particular in casinos and bingo halls – will be forced to operate at a reduced capacity for the foreseeable future because of the need to maintain strict social distancing.
“Given the significant contribution the hospitality and leisure sector makes to the UK economy, we would urge Mr Sunak to keep being flexible and acknowledge that it will continue to need support from the Government as the country emerges from the pandemic.
“We have had super engagement with the Government up until now, and we look forward to that continuing so we can ensure the betting and gaming industry can play its full part in getting the UK back on its feet.”
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland sits to the north-west of mainland Europe. The United Kingdom shares a border with The Republic of Ireland and has coasts on the Atlantic Ocean, Celtic Sea, North Sea, Irish Sea and English Channel. The population of the UK is approaching the 67.6 million mark leading to a fairly densely populated land mass. The gambling sector in the United Kingdom is entirely regulated and licensed by the UKGC – the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. Should players resident In the UK wish to gamble with foreign based operators there is no history of this being treated as a criminal offence, but high levels of protection exist for UK residents playing with UK licensed operators.
Disclaimer:
The above information is what we believe to be the the legal status of online gambling, however information on this topic is limited and hard to find. We accept no liability for any errors or ommissions. It is the reader’s responsibility to ensure that they know the legality of online gambling in their country before engaging with any online gambling service.