Allaster Gair, Bacta’s Director of Communications, reflects on Safer Gambling Week and argues that safer gambling is not only the right thing to do, but is a core part of maintaining a resilient, sustainable industry that can continue to contribute to high streets, seaside towns and local economies.
Coinslot: How would you summarise the benefits of Safer Gambling Week – what does it achieve and why is it important?
Allaster Gair: Safer Gambling Week is an important moment each year where the entire industry comes together to highlight the tools, support and advice available to help customers play safely. For us, it provides a focused platform to promote consistent messages across all venues and machines, ensuring players understand how to stay in control and where to seek help if they need it.
The week encourages open conversations, improves awareness of self-exclusion and time or spend limits, and helps normalise responsible play. It also provides useful feedback on what customers understand, what works well and where we can improve.
Most importantly, Safer Gambling Week demonstrates publicly that our sector takes player protection seriously and is willing to lead from the front.
Coinslot: Do you think the industry represented by Bacta embraces SGW and in what ways?
Allaster Gair: Our sector embraces Safer Gambling Week with real enthusiasm because it aligns with the values that already define our members. The week provides a natural opportunity to highlight the measures we have in place to protect customers.
For us it is not a marketing exercise – it is a practical, sector-wide commitment that helps reinforce the culture of responsibility that we expect from every Bacta member.
Coinslot: Is Safer Gambling something that Bacta members practice on a daily basis?
Allaster Gair: Absolutely. Safer gambling is built into the daily running of every Bacta member venue. Staff receive mandatory training before they begin any customer facing role, with annual refreshers to keep knowledge strong. Our Member Support Officers carry out regular compliance visits to ensure procedures are followed, from self exclusion checks to customer interaction logs.
On site, operators use mandatory signage and on machine reminders to support safer play. Venues also hold internal briefings at shift handover to make sure staff know how to identify vulnerable customers and intervene appropriately. This is supported by strong governance.
Our Code of Conduct makes compliance a condition of membership and we take breaches seriously. Members know that providing a safe and supportive environment is not optional. It protects customers, strengthens trust and demonstrates that land based operators can lead by example.
Coinslot: Does Safer Gambling also make business sense: is it about creating a sustainable business?
Allaster Gair: Yes. Safer gambling is essential for long term sustainability. A business that protects its customers builds trust, encourages repeat visits and supports a stable workforce.
Our venues operate in local communities where reputation matters. If a customer feels safe, respected and supported, they are far more likely to enjoy the experience and return. Strong safer gambling practices also reduce the risk of regulatory breaches, media scrutiny or licence issues, all of which create costs and uncertainty for operators.
Good staff training lowers the chances of mistakes and helps managers resolve issues quickly. From a wider perspective, a sector that leads on responsibility is far better positioned to influence policy and secure proportionate regulation, which is vital for investment and growth.
So safer gambling is not only the right thing to do, it is a core part of maintaining a resilient, sustainable industry that can continue to contribute to high streets, seaside towns and local economies.
Committed to the cause
Allaster Gair said……. “For us it [Safer Gambling Week] is not a marketing exercise – it is a practical, sector-wide commitment that helps reinforce the culture of responsibility that we expect from every Bacta member……
Originally published on Coinslot on November 24, 2025. Republished with permission.