Tag Archives: bacta

John Bollom, President of UK industry trade body Bacta, has hit back at the recent BBC probe into land-based player safety standards. Bollom called a recent BBC investigation “unrepresentative”, after an undercover reporter was allegedly allowed to play across a number of Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) in South England despite self-excluding themselves. Player protection policies mandated by the UK Gambling …

Bacta has openly criticised the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) Technical Standards, and will meet with members to discuss an appropriate course of action. The trade body for British arcades and amusement centres,  will hold a webinar on Wednesday, 21 May, encouraging all partners “in the strongest possible terms” to take part in the event. With key Bacta figures like Tony …

UK gaming venues remain in crisis as DCMS has no plans to implement machine ratio reforms needed for modernisation. Though unconfirmed, it appears that the government will shelve plans to modernise the rules and offerings of Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) on UK high streets. DCMS has stalled plans to reconsider the relaxation of rules around B3 Gaming Machines allowed in …

Simon Bradbury has been appointed as Head of Social Responsibility (SR) and Compliance of retail trade association Bacta.  Bradbury comes up as a result of an internal promotion, and is already performing his full-time duties in the new role. His mandate includes working closely with Bacta’s Membership Support Officers (MSOs), and reporting directly to the trade body’s Commercial Executive Director, …

Visiting Bacta’s SR Exchange conference, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) highlighted some areas where Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) seem to be lagging. The regulator’s Director of Policy, Bryony Sheldon, addressed the fully-booked Bacta Social Responsibility Exchange venue in Leeds by opening up with an overview of the AGC shortcomings that the UKGC witnessed in 2024.  AGC on-site compliance UK-wide venue …

Martin Burlin, EAG Chairman of 15 years, has confirmed that he will step down from the role in January next year.  This was announced by the UK’s amusement and high-street trade body Bacta, which is also the organiser of annual Entertainment, Attractions and Gaming Expo (EAG) events.  He will deliver his last 2025 EAG Expo as a Chairman between 14 …

The industry prepares for a significant rise in responsible betting messaging both online and in land-based venues, as Safer Gambling Week gets in full swing for the eight consecutive year. The initiative is organised by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the Bingo Association, and BACTA, as well as with backing from the UKGC, with comments having poured in from …

UK gambling trade body Bacta and its managerial team received formal training from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) regarding quarterly returns. Simon Bradbury, Justine Hillson, David Miller and John Salsbury – all led by Bacta’s Executive Director Robert Gibb – visited the UKGC’s head office in Birmingham where they met compliance specialists to help them with the procedure. Reporting switched …

Bacta, the UK amusement trade association, has named Declan Johnson as its new Public Affairs Advisor.  Johnson joins Bacta with an MSc in Policy and Politics from Birkbeck University and will report directly to George McGregor, Executive Director of Government Relations at Bacta.  McGregor added: “Following July’s General Election not only do we have a new Government but over 50% …

Bacta, a retail gaming trade association, has begun discussions with the new 335 MPs placed in power following the General Election. The organisation is working to map out constituency MPs for its member venues via a ‘deep-dive into the UK’s political terrain’. By doing so, Bacta hopes to strengthen the amusements industry’s relations with MPs and relevant parliamentary Committees. The …