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The boss of Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo has hit out at the Government's "senseless" closure of gaming venues in Tier 3 areas - calling it "grossly unfair" and a "targeted attack with no justification".

Jonathon Swaine, managing director of the Rank Group spoke out as the stricter rules are set to hit Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire at the end of the week, joining Liverpool City Region and Lancashire.

He said the restrictions, which also hits pubs and bars not serving food, will mean a "hard-hitting" economic and social impact.

Mr Swaine said: “The enforced closure of our ultra Covid-secure casinos is senseless.

"At first we thought that the decisions being made were arbitrary but it’s now clear that our casinos are being subjected to an aggressive and needless attack by decision makers who clearly understand nothing of just how safe casinos are and appear determined to damage the land-based betting and gaming industry for the sake of it.

"Venues such as pubs are able to remain open and serve alcohol if they also sell a meal, which leaves gambling venues as the only ones ordered by the government to shut up shop. It is grossly unfair.

“As well as operating to the very highest Covid-secure standards with robust evidence to support that position, casinos support huge numbers of jobs whilst paying up to 50% tax rates to the Exchequer.

"We have offered to close our casino bars in exchange for permission to trade but are still being forced to close and we’re yet to see or hear of a single shred of evidence that supports that decision. It’s a targeted attack on betting and gaming premises, the tens of thousands of employees and customers in this sector and the time has come to call it out for what it is.”