Despite verbal assurances to the contrary, the Scottish Government has confirmed that amusement and gaming machines are not to be played anywhere in the country, including machines in pubs, adult gaming centres and family entertainment centres.
It had been maintained by bookmakers that they had been assured that their gaming machines would be allowed to switch on from Wednesday of this week, but this has now been countered in writing by the government.
The earliest that the industry can expect now to reopen will be Friday of next week. It is a decision that UK trade association BACTA described as "outrageous" and "indicative of decision makers who have never been near a business in their lives."
The association has sought urgent meetings with top officials to try to overcome the situation.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Government has indicated that the industry can reopen from July 27, but confirmation in writing is being sought after the Scottish experience.
