Bacta urges gaming halls to fight Gambling Commission’s “existential threat” to the industry
Bacta is opposing the regulator’s proposed new technical standards for the land-based gambling sector.
UK.- The gaming machine and amusement arcade trade association Bacta is encouraging its members to back the organisation’s opposition to the Gambling Commission’s proposed new technical standards for land-based gambling. The British regulator has extended its consultation of the proposals from May 20 until June 3 to allow more responses.
Bacta will hold a webinar at 12 noon on Wednesday (21 May) to explain its response. Tony Boulton, Alan Claypole, John Bollom, Joseph Cullis and George McGregor will take part in the meeting, which will include advice to members on how they can respond to the consultation exercis.
Bacta vice president Joseph Cullis said: “The Commission’s proposed changes to Technical Standards represents an existential threat to the industry and I would strongly urge members to clear their diaries in order to participate in Wednesday’s webinar.”
About the specifics contained with the proposed changes, he stated: “The Gambling Commission proposal that would require every Category B gaming machine to adhere to new technical standards irrespective of the age of the machine or its ability to receive software updates is likely to result in many units being junked with operators facing a huge bill to acquire replacements.
“The research that we have undertaken confirms that the huge spike in costs would put some operators out of business with disastrous consequences for employees as well as for local economies based at both the seaside and on the high street.”
He added: “To complement our own body of evidence we have commissioned external specialist agencies including the respected economic consultancy CEBR to quantify the overall costs to the industry. In addition, the consumer research consultancy Chrysalis has been testing the appetite machine plyers have for the changes that are being proposed.”
“On a positive note, the Commission has confirmed that it will look seriously at the evidence that we are presenting and that it is prepared to consider alternative proposals. The webinar is an opportunity for Bacta to share the evidence that we have been gathering in order to promote and protect members businesses.”
Meanwhile, Bacta is encouraging members to take part in the elections for the its Amusement and National Council. Nominations close tomorrow (May 20) and voting papers will be issued on May 29. The balloting period will close on June 12, and election results will be declared a week later at the June 19 AGM. Elections for the Gaming Council will take place in 2026.
