UK's tourism industry recovery is ready to make up for lost time
The Betting and Gaming Council will make a super-charged effort to make up for the time lost during the pandemic, and online gamblers in the UK have been promised an exciting 2022.
The top trusted casinos have ramped up their welcome bonuses and promotions available to new online customers playing using their desktop computer or mobile app. Those who prefer to gamble at land-based casinos haven’t been forgotten about either, with an array of incentives laid out to help tempt casino lovers back through the door.
Total wipe-out for sports and gambling
Almost all industries in the UK, including professional sports, were brought to their knees in 2020 and 2021. Businesses were forced to shut down, people were told to stay at home, and many world-famous sports fixtures, such as the Grand National at Aintree, were cancelled. The Euro 2020 football tournament and the summer Olympic Games of the same year went close to making history for being the first of their kind to be cancelled before arrangements were made to postpone the fixtures for 12 months. The country was placed in full lockdown in a bid to help slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.
It was testing times for all, and the betting and gaming industry weren’t able to avoid the threat posed by COVID either. Although we saw a surge in casino players and esports bettors, revenue created by horse racing, greyhounds, football, tennis and cricket was almost non-existent for an extended period of time. Many believed casinos and sportsbooks would struggle to re-adjust and go under. A few did, but the majority rode with the punches and have come back stronger. The best betting apps are now ready to show just how stronger.
Millions move to online betting
The pandemic encouraged millions to make the move from land-based betting to online betting, and for the best part of a year, gamblers had no other choice but to bet online. That encouraged the leading betting apps to offer huge incentives to players making the crossover. But online gambling isn’t for everyone. What about those who don’t want to switch to online casinos? How were they looked after and rewarded for their patience and loyalty?
We are seeing land-based casinos fight back against the lure of online gambling. They are doing this by offering players rewards for registering and betting at an online casino. These promotions include free bets, free drinks and food, competition entry and prizes. Online casino play is great, but, for many gamblers, the convenience of playing on your smartphone isn’t enough to justify missing out on the conversations, casino experience and the vital human interaction that has been so painfully missing from over lives since the early part of 2020.
Doors are back open
Now that life is heading back towards what was once considered to be the norm in Great Britain, the sports and betting industries are back operating at full speed. With all restrictions on movement and indoor public gatherings removed across the UK by Westminster, it’s great news for fans of sports betting and casino play, both online and land-based betting.
The Betting and Gaming Council couldn’t hide their delight at the improved circumstances with a statement from BGC chairman Brigid Simmonds confirming it’s all systems go. Speaking of the removal of restrictions, Simmonds called it a huge boost for casinos which are now ready and willing to play their part in the recovery of the British economy. A significant drop in footfall on the highstreets and the tourism industry’s problems were crushing blows for land-based casinos, bingo halls and sportsbook betting offices. They have been closed for much of the pandemic, with many established names disappearing from our streets.
The UK government have already pledged their support for the gambling industry in their pandemic recovery plan. Millions of pounds have been set aside to help jolt high street gambling back to life, and Simmonds believes that will help cut the recovery time. She pinpointed the planned English Tourism Week, which will take place in 2023, as a time when we will see betting, as well as much of the nation’s high streets, back to full strength.
