Over 90 percent of Bacta members believe government doesn’t understand the sector

Bacta’s Pulse initiative is doing exactly what was intended, and that’s to build a multi-layered picture of the issues that are keeping members awake at night and which undermine the vitality of the industry. This week’s sentiment survey shows...

CIAs to become GIAs as government seeks to appease prohibitionist MPs by tightening up local authority licensing

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage has tabled an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill proposing the introduction of cumulative impact assessments – renamed as “gambling impact assessments” – which focus on giving local ...

Blueprint secures a new machine supply agreement with iconic Clacton Pier

Best in class products befitting a best-in-class venue has seen Blueprint Operations (BPO) secure a major presence at the Clacton Pier arcade and Joywheel high street gaming centre. The major business win also reflects positively on BPO’s cons...

Hospitality insolvencies jump 9 percent between December and January

Hospitality insolvencies jumped 9 percent between December 2025 and January 2026, as businesses continue to face economic headwinds including high VAT and alcohol duties, as well as rising staff and supply costs.

Commission to receive £26m for black market fight – so why are operators still being asked to pay?

Last November the government pledged £26m to the Gambling Commission in its fight against illegal gambling, so why are operators being still being asked to pay?

Bacta Pulse survey reveals rising operating costs as biggest threat to businesses as Reform UK attracts largest share of member voting intentions

Rising operating costs represent the single biggest threat to the industry according to the results of the first Bacta Pulse survey of members.

Six years after lockdown, and Bacta member SMEs need government to act on implementation of business-critical reforms

In what is a highly regulated industry businesses are dependent on government intervention to ensure that they are able to compete on a level playing field. Many of the industry’s SMEs have struggled to recover to pre-COVID trading and are now...

A change of weather? Miller drives operator calls for Met Office to scrap rain icons

Adventure Island has called on the Met Office to change the way it displays weather forecasts, warning that the use of a rain icon to indicate a short overnight shower can cost visitor attractions “thousands.”

Danny Dyer TV show sparks a four year high in holiday park searches

Online searches for UK holiday parks have reached a four-year high following the debut of The Dyers’ Caravan Park, a new Sky series fronted by Danny Dyer. 

Andy Tipple: Blueprint is ready and on the ‘front foot’ as Ireland’s gambling regulation evolves

Blueprint Operations is one of the major brands closely monitoring events in the Republic of Ireland. Managing Director Andy Tipple was encouraged by what he heard at the Dublin show from Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the Gambling Regulatory Au...

World Gaming Week attracts 62,988 attendees to set a new industry record in Barcelona  

Barcelona became the capital of global gaming when a record 62,988 industry professionals from 162 nations attended the 2026 edition of World Gaming Week. The total, a 5 percent increase on the 2025 attendance of 59,939, represents the biggest...

Link reports 14 percent of UK high street traders turned cashless last year

ATM provider Link has reported that 14 percent of UK high street businesses turned cashless over the course of the last year, with the use of mobile payments rising across all age groups from 16 to 65-plus between 2023 and 2024.

Does Commission risk row over conflict of interest as Andrew Rhodes considers an alleged industry role?

Exiting Gambling Commission chief Andrew Rhodes has been linked to a move within the industry. So, how will a ‘gamekeeper turned poacher’ switch go down in stakeholder circles?

Game Nation go full throttle with high profile British Touring Car sponsorship in support of online slots launch

Game Nation has demonstrated the scale of its ambitions with the launch of its online slots brand and a sports sponsorship agreement which will drive consumer awareness. CEO Mark Jepp explains the strategy behind the new addition to the Game N...

Government to support Universal’s UK theme park project with £1bn boost to transport and local infrastructure 

The government is reportedly preparing to invest more than £1bn to support Comcast’s plans to build a Universal Studios theme park in Bedford, with the majority of the funding being used to improve local transport and infrastructure.

Clacton Pier, Grand Pier and Blackpool Pleasure Beach join national campaign to change weather app icons

Joining more than 80 attractions urging changes to weather app icons they say deter visitors, Clacton Pier, the Grand Pier in Weston and Blackpool Pleasure Beach have put their weight behind a growing national campaign.

Bacta takes the ‘Pulse’ of the industry with launch of new Vox Pop style sentiment survey

Bacta’s latest engagement initiative will provide members with a direct link to the trade association courtesy of an anonymised Vox Pop style survey mechanic. Bacta Pulse, which is being launched as part of the President’s Update e-shot will p...

GGY up 6.7 percent year-on-year despite decline in FEC and betting premises

The latest statistics from the Gambling Commission for the quarter July to September 2025 have revealed a 6.7 percent year-on-year rise in GGY. However, concern remains for the retail sector, as the number of FEC and betting premises declined ...

Middle East conflict throws IAAPA Abu Dhabi into doubt

Doubts have been raised by UK executives over the likelihood of the inaugural IAAPA Middle East taking place in Abu Dhabi later this month, following the escalation of violence in the region.

Aim to Permit principle under challenge but still in play

The campaign marshalled by Dawn Butler MP and supported by the APPG on Gambling Harm has been caught by a red light. Following her letter to the Gambling Minister seeking more restrictive regulation and a reversal of the Aim to Permit rule, Ba...

Hospitality “best placed sector” to deliver growth says hospitality bodies

If the government wants economic growth then it needs to recognise the value the hospitality sector can bring to UK plc. And that means reducing the cost of doing business for high street venues so that they don’t just stay in business but exp...

Bacta declares ‘Target £1m’ in next stage of Rays of Sunshine partnership

Rays of Sunshine has captured the imagination and the hearts of Bacta members. With three big fundraising opportunities fast approaching, beginning with May’s Golf Day, Charitable Trust Chairman John Bollom has launched Target £1m.

FCA to hand decision for setting contactless payment limits over to retailers 

The Financial Conduct Authority has announced it will hand the responsibility to set payment limits for contactless card transactions to businesses, in order to “provide flexibility for the future.”

Tim Miller calls for pause in reforms as Gambling Commission directs its focus on black market

Gambling Commission executive director Tim Miller told attendees at the BGC AGM that the regulator remains dedicated to addressing the black market during a “period of change,” with a £26m boost from DCMS due this April to help pursue and pros...

Burnham backs cut to VAT and business rates for hospitality

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has called for a cut to VAT and business rates for UK hospitality businesses, urging legislators to bring taxes in line with their European counterparts.