Labour accused of threatening high streets with its gaming clampdown

Ministers have been accused of putting Britain’s high streets at risk after unveiling plans to curb the number of gambling venues.

HSE: Problem gambling running at 0.4 percent as health data challenges Commission narrative

The latest Health Survey for England figures show problem gambling rates at circa 0.4 percent. The HSE study – previously the benchmark model for assessing problem gambling in the UK prior to the Gambling Commission’s heavily criticised interv...

Storm Ingrid causes the part-collapse of Teignmouth Pier

The end section of Teignmouth’s 157-year-old Grand Pier has been washed away by Storm Ingrid, as high winds on 24 January battered the coast during what owners the Brenner family described as “a dreadful night.”

Bar-X – ‘probably the best fruit machine in the world’!

To coin the phrase an ‘oldie but a goodie’ would be an understatement when it comes to Electrocoin’s iconic Bar X. The company has just rolled out its latest production run of the classic ‘fruit machine’, with several thousand new units made f...

Harrow Council defies Aim to Permit rule and rejects plans for 24-hour AGC

Harrow Council has rejected plans submitted by JMS Planning and Development Ltd to open a 24-hour AGC in a vacant retail unit in the town centre, despite the plans previously receiving approval on appeal.

Game Nation venue launched with a roar as Chinese Lion brings Gerrard Street to a stop

Following the £600,000 transformation of its venue in the heart of Chinatown Game Nation pulled out all of the stops with a spectacular launch event that CEO Mark Jepp described as being ‘part carnival, part film-set.’ Featuring a giant Chines...

Please sir, I want some more: DCMS launches consultation on increasing the Gambling Commission’s licence fees

DCMS has announced plans to consult on increasing the Gambling Commission’s licence fees by a minimum of 20 percent, as the regulator reportedly counts the cost of implementing White Paper recommendations, expanding its research and data progr...

Bacta builds momentum with Ministers in a fast-paced start to 2026

Bacta President Joseph Cullis believes the industry is experiencing one of the busiest starts to a year in recent memory, with an unprecedented pace of political engagement that shows no sign of slowing.

Support the high street or lose it: GBG signals the danger signs to government and local authorities

Peter Hannibal, chief executive of the Gambling Business Group, has issued a stark message to the government and local authorities: we are in danger of losing the high street if we fail to address the business rates elephant in the economic ro...

Hospitality endures an “abrupt end to a resilient year” as  closures accelerate

The latest Hospitality Market Monitor from NIQ has revealed the number of licensed premises in the UK fell by 0.4 percent in the last three months of 2025, following “relentless inflation for businesses in key cost areas, alongside fragile con...

Treasury announces £100m lifeline for ailing pubs after business rates backlash

The government has unveiled an emergency support package for pubs amid warnings of closures and job losses – but will it be enough to save the sector?

Celebrating a wonderful industry: EAG Chairman’s Awards go to nine worthy recipients

EAG Expo ‘26 provided a high-profile platform to recognise and celebrate the people and the businesses that define the industry.

“Pick a side”: Miller urges the industry to “strangle” black market providers

As the unlicensed market continues to grow due to restrictive regulations and over-taxation, Tim Miller, executive director of the Gambling Commission, attended the ICE Expo ten days ago and called on the industry to “pick a side”. An ironic c...

Kirsty Caldwell appointed interim chair of GamCom’s Industry Forum, but what lies ahead for the group?

It’s taken almost three months for the Gambling Commission to appoint an interim chair of the Industry Forum, and even more given the early notice of Nick Rust’s premature announcement that he was standing down. Now, in comes existing Forum me...

“We’re seeing a fundamental shift”: Simon Barff explores rise of cashless in pub play

Speaking during the EAG Pub Summit, CLMS managing director Simon Barff explained how cashless and digital payment uptake has continued to grow since the pandemic, boosting pub income significantly while ushering in “a fundamental shift in how ...

Bacta Awards honour the stand-out contributions of outstanding individuals

Bacta used the platform provided by its flagship EAG Expo to honour three members of the industry who have gone beyond the call of duty. The 2026 Bacta Awards were presented to Alan Claypole of MERKUR UK (Supply Chain Champion), Alan Walker of...

National Crime Agency  issues new guidance on counterfeit notes action

The NCA has issued retailers with detailed guidance on what action to take on the discovery of the receipt of counterfeit notes, with business owners and staff encouraged to remain vigilant against the use of fake currency.

Commission reminds operators on the rules regarding availability of gaming machines

The Gambling Commission has sent licensees a reminder regarding the regulation governing the availability of gaming machines, telling operators that equipment such as tablets “must be available for customer use without staff assistance.”

John Stergides Snr honoured with ICE Landmark Award in Barcelona

A Landmark Award at ICE Barcelona 2026 marks five decades of leadership and influence from Electrocoin founder John Stergides Snr.

Hospitality sector faces over 2,000 closures without proper rates reform

UKHospitality warns over 2,000 venues could close in 2026 without urgent business rates reform, as rising costs threaten pubs, hotels and restaurants nationwide.

Finding Gravity: Gen Z is driving  demand for experience-led venues

Younger adults are increasingly seeking social experiences outside of pubs and nightclubs, according to insights shared by Gravity.

“I’m looking after it for the next generation”: the Bolloms remain determined to preserve future of Mumbles Pier

Bert and Fred Bollom have described their determination to keep Mumbles Pier going “for the next generation,” despite suffering setbacks in the form of debilitating maintenance costs, rising business outlay, and two devastating fires, with the...

Andy Tipple: “Monopoly was a clear highlight of our EAG stand attracting huge attention from every visitor”

Blueprint Operations Managing Director Andy Tipple reflects on a show that delivered against ambitious objectives and set a confident tone for the year ahead. From high-quality customer engagement, and a solid order book to standout licensed c...

Andrew Ludlow: “The feedback from customers and the strength of the forward pipeline exceeded anything we have ever achieved at previous trade shows”

Boomerang enjoyed its most successful trade show to date at EAG ‘26, registering record levels of customer engagement, confirmed orders and a future pipeline. Andrew Ludlow reflects on an event that exceeded expectations on every level, from t...

Matt Bicknell backs U-Turn on pub business rates but urges joined-up strategy to include stakes and prize uplift

Regal Gaming Technologies has been leading from the front with a £60m investment programme to deliver a contemporary connected and world-leading pub gaming offer. Managing Director Matt Bicknell has welcomed the Government’s decision to addres...