BOOKIES BRACE FOR WORST: MORE SPORTS DISRUPTION AS LOCKDOWNS RETURN TO UK

With the new mutant strain of COVID-19 now out of control in the UK, England and Scotland have been plunged back into total lockdown, threatening the viability of many sports. 

Although UK Prime, Minister Boris Johnson, has confirmed that, under current plans, ‘elite sport’ can continue to operate in England, all lower-tier sports have been cancelled, and all retail betting shops (along with casinos) must shut. Similar measures have been announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland, and are expected in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Addressing the nation on television, Johnson said:

“With most of the country already under extreme measures, it is clear that we need to do more, together, to bring this new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out.

“In England, we must therefore go into a national lockdown which is tough enough to contain this variant. That means the Government is once again instructing you to stay at home. You may only leave home for limited reasons permitted in law.”

Premier League football has been given the greenlight to continue for now, subject to stringent precautions, but with four matches already having been postponed due to players testing positive, the future looks uncertain at best. Despite this, the Premier League has stressed it has no plans to pause the season. The EFL has also been authorised to continue. 

However, all “non-elite” football has now been suspended by the FA. This included steps three to six of the National League system, tiers three to seven of the women’s football pyramid, and all grassroots football. The Women’s FA Cup is also being stopped. 

Horseracing is also being allowed to continue for the time being, with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) issuing the following statement:

“Following this evening’s broadcast, we can confirm that racing will continue behind closed doors during the upcoming national lockdown. Attendance will be limited to those essential to the staging of fixtures and strict adherence to British racing’s COVID-19 protocols will continue to be required for all who attend.”

All golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and other sports facilities have been ordered to close. 

Earlier today, Cabinet Minister Michael Gove said that it was unlikely any restrictions would be eased until some time in March at the earliest, and then only gradually – assuming the vaccination program was on track and proved effective.

AYO.NEWS says:

The move back into lockdown will be extremely concerning for bookies, especially as even the viability of elite sports is obviously in the balance. With several new variants of COVID-19 now spreading, including ones that could potentially render current vaccines useless, the prospect of the lockdowns lifting any time soon is fading. 

One thing’s for sure, right now, those operators who continued to invest in their esports, virtual sports, and online casino offerings will be breathing a sigh of relief. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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