The president of Bacta states that the sector needs the government to act in implementing essential business reforms.

Joseph Cullis, president of Bacta, the trade association representing the British amusement and low-stakes gambling sectors, chose the sixth anniversary of the lockdown to call for essential business reforms that he says are needed to help the land-based gaming sector recover and return to pre-COVID revenue levels.

Highlighting the need for the government to review betting and prize values ​​for the first time since 2014 and to change the 80/20 ratio between machines, he said: “March 23rd marks the sixth anniversary of the announcement of the first lockdown by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who ordered people to stay at home.

“Our sector was one of the first to be shut down and one of the last to reopen. Most of the companies associated with Bacta are small and medium-sized enterprises: I know from personal experience how damaging that period was and how difficult it has been to recover and reach levels of activity similar to those before COVID.”

He added: “In a highly regulated sector, where gaming equipment operators cannot pass on increased costs to consumers, we depend on government intervention to keep our businesses viable. For some categories of gaming machines, betting and prize limits have remained unchanged since 2014. After more than a decade without changes to many of these limits, the need for action is becoming increasingly urgent.”

"Ensuring a more progressive ratio between machines, aligned with the needs of players, and an increase in the value of bets and prizes is essential to keep up with inflation."

"Without regular increases in the maximum permitted limits, the sector's ability to generate jobs and economic benefits for local businesses and coastal communities is seriously compromised."