Bacta vice president Jeremy Godden welcomed the Chancellor’s decision not to raise MGD during his speech to the association’s AGM this year, but observed that more action must be taken in order to give the sector a chance to thrive.
Identifying the prohibitive 80:20 ratio as “no longer fit for purpose,” Godden called on Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross to implement the necessary and long-overdue recommendations outlined in the white paper.
“A change in the antiquated – and frankly no longer fit for purpose – 80:20 machine ratio remains vital,” said Godden. “An adjustment would offer our members the opportunity to repay the faith shown by
the government yesterday by leading the growth mission in some of the UK’s most under-invested areas.”
“A ratio change would also provide much-needed support and growth to British manufacturing; it would create more supply chain and logistics jobs, from Broadstairs to Cardiff. It would also represent fair reward for the continuing efforts made by our members to strengthen protection for players, identified by the Minister as the major stumbling block to a ratio change.”
Though Godden described the Budget as “a welcome relief for many,” he added “the full implementation of the white paper, in line with our members’ continued improvements in player protection, is now critical to ensure many of our nation’s favourite seaside and high street arcades and entertainment centres can thrive and not just survive.”
Originally published on Coinslot on December 1, 2025. Republished with permission.