GVC prepares 2,500 betting shops for reopening

GVC Holdings, with nearly 2,500 betting shops in England, has issued safety guidance for its Ladbrokes and Coral venues ready for the June 15 opening.

The remaining 500-plus outlets, in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, will await news from their respective governments on reopening possibilities.

Following pre-opening checks at its betting shops, additional equipment, including ‘sneeze-screens’ and protective barriers between gaming machines, are being installed. More signage and training are also in the programme.

The company will use stylus pens for customers using bet stations and machines to avoid players having to touch screens. The provision of face masks, gloves and shields for staff will be introduced and a range of deep-cleaning protocols adopted.

Maximum occupancy levels for each location will be brought in together with guidance on customer entry and exit management and contactless payments encouraged. There will also be increased monitoring of customer behaviour to ensure that customers are spending within their means.