It was an extremely humble introduction, but don’t be fooled, Allaster Gair is taking his recently assumed role as Bacta’s Director of Communications with an intense conviction. In his first speech to the Bacta membership, Gair displayed his true skill-set – communicating – and he communicated exactly what lies ahead for the trade body. It was a confident and engaging presentation – Bacta has an extremely energetic team at its helm. And busy too. Gair laid out the Bacta vision with a 5-point plan which will cover all bases – with a spring in the trade body’s step. “For you as members, it means Bacta will be even more active, even more visible and even more focused on representing your interests,” the new director of comms declared. It’s a message that has helped deliver for the industry this past year – and Gair is clearly determined to keep the momentum going.
My name is Allaster Gair and for those of you who I have not yet met, I am Bacta’s Director of Communications. I joined in June, and I look after Bacta’s political engagement, public affairs and our communications activity. As I’m sure you can all appreciate, it has been a fairly lively first few months in the job…
Today gives us the opportunity to look ahead with a very different mood than we expected even 24 hours ago. I can’t say this was the script I’d written last week.
Yesterday’s Budget gave our sector something we have not had for a long time. Stability. No increase in Machine Games Duty. No new fiscal pressure placed on businesses that are already carrying a heavy burden of fixed costs, rising wages and an inability to adjust prices due to statutory limits. The Government has recognised the realities of our sector. It has accepted the evidence we presented. And it has chosen stability over additional strain.
That decision matters. It means that the work we have done together has been listened to. It allows members to keep investing. And it gives us the space to focus properly on the reforms and new challenges that lie ahead. Stability is not the destination. It is the platform we will use to move forward.
So today I want to set out clearly what 2026 looks like for Bacta. What is coming. Where we need to be at our strongest. And how, as an industry, we will play our part.
I want to take you through the five big areas that will define the year ahead.
1. The Consultations
We start 2026 with the Category D stakes and prizes consultation. This is significant and will move quickly. It touches on a variety of issues, machine complexity, ticket redemption and long standing inconsistencies in regulation.
Bacta will coordinate responses with members so that evidence is strong, consistent and rooted in real operational experience. The purpose is simple. We want outcomes that are proportionate, modern and commercially sensible, while giving confidence to officials that safeguards remain solid.
Outside Category D, we are realistic. There is no current political appetite for a wider stakes and prizes review in the short term. However, the more we continue to raise standards, the stronger our position becomes for future reform. Progress on self exclusion and compliance is the groundwork for discussions on Cat C and B.
The bingo consultation will be one of the other important pieces of work we tackle early in the year. It is essential that we get this right. Bingo has its own economic model, its own customer base and its own operational pressures, and the consultation must reflect that reality. The sector needs a modern, balanced framework that supports investment, protects the viability of high street venues and ensures that any policy outcomes are workable in practice. Bacta will work closely with operators, manufacturers and the broader supply chain to make sure the evidence is clear and compelling, because the decisions taken here will shape the future of the bingo industry for years to come.
2. The 80 20 Reform
Next, we hope to expect movement on the long awaited update to the 80 20 machine ratio. This is one of the most important remaining commitments from the White Paper. The rationale for this reform is simple. It supports British manufacturing. It increases MGD receipts without raising rates. It reduces overall machine numbers. It cuts energy usage. And it unlocks investment in AGCs and bingo.
The Budget result strengthens the case. Government has chosen not to tax the sector further. That creates the conditions for sensible regulatory change that grows tax receipts the right way.
3. Cashless and Technical
Standards
Cashless now sits firmly on the agenda and must be treated as a business critical reform. The Treasury understands how important cashless is for pubs and hospitality, and that recognition strengthens our position.
The land based sector needs a clear, workable cashless pathway. Not a model that is pushed on us. A model we help shape. Cashless will be essential for customer expectation and long term commercial viability. We want a system that is safe, compliant and deliverable for operators of all sizes.
Separate from this is the work on Technical Standards. This is its own process with its own timeline. These standards will likely be the most significant technical update in years. Operators will need clarity on machine requirements, transition periods and expectations from the Commission. Our role is to influence the detail, make the case for realistic implementation and ensure that both operators and manufacturers have the information they need.
4. Local Authorities
We also need a more consistent and transparent approach from local authorities. Many of the recent challenges facing our sector have originated at council level rather than Westminster. In several cases, councils did not have an up to date gambling policy, and a significant number carried out no inspections at all, despite operators contributing to a ring fenced levy intended to support that work. This inconsistency creates confusion for members and fuels misconceptions among councillors about what our venues do and how they are regulated. In 2026 we will intensify our local engagement programme, support members in their dealings with councils, and ensure that councillors have a clearer understanding of our sector’s value to high streets and coastal communities.
5. Raising Standards and Delivering the Self Exclusion Plan
The final area is social responsibility. As Jeremy spoke about earlier, we have launched a strong Self Exclusion Action Plan that sets a new benchmark for the land based sector. But this work only matters if it is delivered consistently across the country.
In 2026 we will implement our unified self exclusion system. We will deliver mandatory refresher training. We will expand MSO visits. We will roll out better signage and clearer on machine messaging. And we will continue to work with the Commission and DCMS to demonstrate that our sector is serious, disciplined and committed to constant improvement.
This is not simply about compliance. It is about credibility. The more we demonstrate leadership, the more confident government will be in supporting our policy asks.
What does all this mean for 2026?
It means we enter the year with stability from the Budget. It means we have a clear set of reforms we need to influence. It means we continue to raise standards and demonstrate leadership. And it means we build on the political groundwork we have laid this year.
We will increase MP visits. We will increase regional engagement. We will produce more case studies and more economic evidence. And we will continue to challenge misconceptions wherever they appear.
For you as members, it means Bacta will be even more active, even more visible and even more focused on representing your interests.
For government, it means they have a partner that is serious about responsibility and serious about growth.
And for the sector, it means we have a genuine opportunity. A stable tax environment. A clear policy agenda. And a chance to shape the direction of regulation rather than be shaped by it.
Whatever challenges come next year, whatever consultations land, whatever debates emerge, you can be certain of one thing. Bacta will be fighting for you and representing you at every stage.
That is how we play our part. And that is how we make 2026 a year of progress.
Action plan
Allaster Gair said……. “We enter the year with stability from the Budget. It means we have a clear set of reforms we need to influence. It means we continue to raise standards and demonstrate leadership. And it means we build on the political groundwork we have laid this year. We will increase MP visits. We will increase regional engagement. We will produce more case studies and more economic evidence. And we will continue to challenge misconceptions wherever they appear……
Originally published on Coinslot on December 1, 2025. Republished with permission.