It’s good to talk! A Bacta team led by President Joseph Cullis attended its third regional meeting in five months. The gathering in South Shields not only served as an opportunity for Bacta to update members on developments impacting the industry but also to build a clear picture of the challenges being faced throughout the amusements and gaming supply chain. Next stop on Bacta’s regional tour is Skegness 25th March followed by Scarborough the next day.
Bacta has continued its member engagement programme, staging its third regional meeting in five months. The North East gathering, held in South Shields, which was attended by President Joseph Cullis, Director of Communications Allaster Gair, and Executive Director John Bollom, followed October’s meeting for members in the South West and South Wales, and November’s meeting of the Kent, Sussex and Hampshire region.
Expanding on the regional meetings, Joseph Cullis explained: “Based on feedback and requests, we have created more opportunities for members to come together, connect and exchange insights on the issues impacting the industry at both a national and regional level. Some challenges are unique to specific areas of the country, and these localised events allow for a more focused agenda and more detailed discussions.”
Reflecting on Bacta’s agenda he stated: “I previously referenced the fast-paced start we have experienced to 2026 and Bacta’s involvement in a broad range of senior-level meetings with officials and Ministers. Members were understandably keen to gain greater insight into those discussions, particularly around what they can expect on further consultations, developments in self-exclusion, and the current position and state of play on the use of facial recognition technology.”
He added: “Regional Meetings are not a one-way street: they also provide an opportunity to build a full and detailed understanding of the challenges that members are facing. Every single conversation that we have at our meetings is valuable and the information that we receive from members is fed back into our political engagement program. Our ability to draw on the lived experience of Bacta members to illustrate and inform our agenda is key.”
Allaster Gair added: “Bacta has and continues to do an important job representing the industry with politicians and officials at DCMS and the Gambling Commission. Regional meetings are a great way of updating members and hearing their concerns and ideas. Key topics of discussion here in South Shields revolved around the importance of a Triennial Review, updates on Bacta’s response to the Category D and Bingo consultations, alongside topics such as self-exclusion and player protection improvements. Being able to talk through these issues and their implications face-to-face is really helpful for us as a trade association.”
Talking to the regions
Joseph Cullis said……. “Based on feedback and requests, we have created more opportunities for members to come together, connect and exchange insights on the issues impacting the industry at both a national and regional level……
Originally published on Coinslot on February 9, 2026. Republished with permission.