This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7308075.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Good Friday opening for bookies Good Friday opening for bookies
(about 8 hours later)
Thousands of betting shops in England, Scotland and Wales will be opening for the first time on a Good Friday. Thousands of betting shops in England, Scotland and Wales are to open for the first time on a Good Friday.
The move follows last year's Gambling Act which allows bookies to trade every day except for Christmas Day. The move follows last year's Gambling Act which allows bookies to trade every day except Christmas Day.
At least 4,000 bookmakers' shops will be open, including almost all of Ladbrokes' and Coral's branches and about 10% of William Hill's. At least 4,000 bookmakers' shops will open, including almost all branches of Ladbrokes and Coral, despite there being no British horse racing.
However, some Christian groups have expressed their disappointment and are asking people not to bet. Some Christian groups have expressed their disappointment and are asking people not to bet.
Demand expectedDemand expected
A spokesman for the Methodist Church said it would prefer people to think about the day's religious significance rather than going betting. A spokesman for the Methodist Church said they would prefer people to think about the day's religious significance rather than placing bets.
Ladbrokes defended its decision to open, saying the new law only brought betting shops into line with other retailers who can already open on Good Friday. Ladbrokes defended its decision to open, saying the new law only brought betting shops in to line with other retailers who can already open on Good Friday.
The firm said it still expected heavy demand from customers despite there being no British horse racing on Good Friday. The firm said it was expecting a heavy demand from customers.
William Hill said all its staff would be working voluntarily on Good Friday. William Hill is opening one in 10 of its shops and said those staff working had volunteered to come in.