The British Gaming Association (Bacta) has initiated legal action against the government’s proposal to postpone the resumption of adult gaming centers (AGCs).
Bacta, which represents amusement and high street gaming producers and operators in the UK, has tasked law firm DWF Law with contesting the decision to delay reopening.
The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, recently revealed the nation’s gradual plan to lift lockdown restrictions.
According to the plan, non-essential retail outlets, including betting shops, are slated to reopen on April 12, while AGCs, alongside bingo halls and casinos, are scheduled to resume operations on May 17.
In a communication to Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, DWF Law stated: “Bacta desires to avoid judicial review and/or challenge of the decision, but it cannot overlook the discriminatory effect of the decision and the long-term detrimental impact it will have on the AGC industry.”
DWF asserts that the decision to postpone the opening of AGCs lacks justification, as AGCs have been demonstrated to be capable of operating safely, there have been no reports of infections associated with the use of the venues, and generally only a limited number of patrons are present at any given time.
The assertion continues by stating that the government is practicing discrimination against AGCs, as authorized betting establishments (LBOs) will be permitted to resume operations sooner.
The legal representatives asserted that their client had never been informed of any legitimate justification for the disparity in treatment between LBOs and AGCs. “Consequently, it is evident that this discrepancy is not grounded in any proof of a valid rationale.”
John White, the chief executive officer of Bacta, stated that the industry association would exert every effort to bring attention to the unjust – and potentially unlawful – treatment of AGCs in the reopening plan.
“The choice to hinder one type of high street location from opening concurrently with all other retail outlets is not only discriminatory but also lacks evidence and logical reasoning,” he declared.
The United Kingdom entered its third nationwide lockdown in January, obligating all gaming venues to temporarily cease operations once more. This followed prior lockdowns from March 2020 and then again from November.
Sign up for the iGaming news bulletin.