Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross has refused to alter her position on reforming the 80/20 ratio, telling attendees at the Bacta AGM that further progress on player protection must be made before the government will consider updating regulation.
Baroness Twycross poured cold water on hopes that reform to the 80/20 ratio could be in the offing by telling attendees at this year’s Bacta Convention that “there will be no announcement of changes this year,” despite significant progress on player protection.
The Gambling Minister made it clear that player protection remains the priority of her tenure, but offered a ray of hope for venues fearing the impact of widespread calls to overhaul local authority licensing and the Aim to Permit.
“I know that for those of you involved in adult gaming centres and bingo venues, the 80/20 rule is high on your list of priorities,” said Twycross. “I believe that player protections need to be at the heart of the gambling industry if it is to be sustainable.”
“While I recognise the pressures the industry is dealing with, I want to keep working together to maintain momentum on those protections. I’d like to thank Bacta for the way you’ve taken concerns around player protection seriously and taken a responsible course in this direction.”
Acknowledging the progress Bacta members have undertaken to improve interoperability between self-exclusion schemes and facial recognition trials, Twycross said she is “looking forward to working together with the sector on the next stages,” but added “until then, however, my position on the 80/20 rule hasn’t changed.”
“There will be no announcement of changes this year. I should say, though, that I’m really grateful for your patience while we consider the best way to move forward. I do want us to reach a place where we can start to consider reforms, while knowing the right protections are in place for the most vulnerable.”
Twycross also used her speech to touch on the proposed introduction of cumulative impact assessments for gambling premises, telling attendees the CIAs “would be evidence-based, and they will not be applied retrospectively to licences that have already been granted.”
“The government has no plans to review the statutory objectives governing gambling licensing.”
Speaking on the current consultations, Twycross added “I want to support both amusement arcades and bingo”, telling attendees her department’s intention is to “support these sectors to grow and innovate sustainably.”
80/20 still doesn’t add up?
Baroness Twycross said… “There will be no announcement of changes this year. I know that for those of you involved in adult gaming centres and bingo venues, the 80/20 rule is high on your list of priorities … I believe that player protections need to be at the heart of the gambling industry if it is to be sustainable…
Originally published on Coinslot on December 1, 2025. Republished with permission.