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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Good Friday opening for bookies | Good Friday opening for bookies |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of betting shops in England, Scotland and Wales are to open 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 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 open, including almost all branches of Ladbrokes and Coral, despite there being no British horse racing. | At least 4,000 bookmakers' shops will open, including almost all branches of Ladbrokes and Coral, despite there being no British horse racing. |
| 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 expected | Demand expected |
| HAVE YOUR SAYBookmaker's shops are legal in this country so therefore should be allowed to open on any day they want.Derek, East YorkshireSend us your comments | |
| A spokesman for the Methodist Church said they would prefer people to think about the day's religious significance rather than placing bets. | 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 in to 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 was expecting a heavy demand from customers. | The firm said it was expecting a heavy demand from customers. |
| William Hill is opening one in 10 of its shops and said those staff working had volunteered to come in. | William Hill is opening one in 10 of its shops and said those staff working had volunteered to come in. |