Bacta to make land-based gaming case to Parliament

UK amusements and high-street gaming trade body Bacta is due to provide evidence to a cross-party group of MPs this month, discussing the Gambling Act review.

The association’s Chief Executive, John White, will outline the interests of the British land-based gambling sector to members of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 11 July.

Unveiled in April, the Gambling Act review White Paper featured a number of proposals for reform to the UK’s betting and gaming regulatory framework. However, prior to the implementation of the White Paper, it outlined that a series of consultations will take place.

White remarked: “Immediately after the White Paper was published on 28 April we started the process of consulting with members and researching the implications and outcomes of the various proposals, specifically the impact of a 50/50 machine ratio, the introduction of modern payment methods and the projected impact of a mandatory levy.

“That initial research programme has been completed and I will be able to share with the Committee both the findings and our analysis of how the White Paper recommendations will impact inward investment, employment levels, the industry’s support for local economies and the sustainability of businesses.”

For amusement arcades, the most significant proposal of the White Paper regarded age limits for Category D slots. Should the recommendations be adopted, the age limit for these slots will be set at 18+, although the cash prize limit will remain voluntary.

In the aftermath of the review’s publication, Bacta has been engaging with the government on the proposals and implications – alongside the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the Lotteries Council and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

Bacta’s Chief Executive will address 10 MPs when he speaks to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which is headed by Dame Caroline Dinenage MP of the Conservative Party, but consists of MPs from across the House of Commons’ political parties.

White added: “Regulation that’s fit for the digital age must permit operators to offer the payment methods that every other land-based retailer provides and which modern consumers expect.”