GBG unveils its High Street Hub agenda with the focus on player protection and facial recognition standards

The Gambling Business Group has released its High Street Hub seminar programme to be held at ARE Expo, highlighting player protection, compliance and the introduction of new facial recognition standards.

“We all saw it coming a mile off”: GLEN highlights failure of Levy funding allocation

Oh dear. If you thought GambleAware were useless, it looks like the third sector might have its work cut out with its successor as well. It may be early days of the Gambling Levy funds process, but things can only get better as the first tranc...

“Crackers”: pub chief slams government’s £3k youth employment incentive proposal

The CEO of pub operator Shepherd Neame has criticised the government’s proposal to offer businesses £3,000 when they employ young benefit claimants, stating the plan is “crackers” in the face of rising taxes.

Real Fun puts company culture first in its drive to “make clubs fun again”

Real Fun Group has reiterated its intention to “make bingo clubs fun again” by focusing on providing its existing venue teams with the support to build community and excel.

Trade bodies warn Commission against implementation of FRAs 

The Betting and Gaming Council and the British Horseracing Authority have urged the Gambling Commission to pause and reassess the proposed introduction of financial risk assessments, over concerns added regulation will drive bettors to the bla...

Parkdean donates £180,000 of holidays to military families

Parkdean Resorts has announced it will donate 240 free holidays worth over £180,000 to military families in 2026, part of an ongoing partnership with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, RAF Benevolent Fund, and the Army Central Fund. 

Showmen’s Guild launches landmark TV campaign to promote Easter fairs

The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain has commissioned its first primetime TV advertising campaign to promote the 160-plus fairs taking place across the country this Easter, with an accompanying webpage giving visitors all the information neede...

Game Nation’s got talent: former table tennis international puts a fresh spin on CHIPS fundraising

Scratch the surface of any organisation and you will find individuals with unusual claims to fame. Such is the case at Game Nation where it transpires that engineer Leonard Benissan has represented Togo, his country of birth, at table tennis b...

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.

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...

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 ...

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...

Gambling Commission appoints senior civil servant as director of operations amid its leadership overhaul

It’s all change at the Gambling Commission at the moment with a new operations director joining the regulator from HMRC. Sue Young takes over the senior role as the regulator continues its search for a new chairman and chief executive.

Club 3000 Bingo invests £3m in refurbishment of flagship Coatbridge club 

Club 3000 Bingo is to invest more than £3m in refurbishing its flagship Coatbridge club, marking a major milestone in the club’s continued commitment to delivering “an exceptional bingo and entertainment experience.”

Just say no: the industry has nine days left to lodge its opposition to a 30pc hike in Gambling Commission licence fees

Given the options put forward, it would seem that a massive increase in Gambling Commission fees are on their way. But not definitely. The industry has a compelling case to see the rise reduced, at least, and halted at best. Coinslot offers up...

Reflex MD Quentin Stott to run half marathon for Meningitis Research

Quentin Stott is to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon next month, raising money for Spencer Dayman Meningitis Research in memory of his son Dylan.

Parkdean Resorts to recruit 4,000 staff for summer season

Parkdean Resorts has announced it will hire 4,000 new staff this season for a range of roles across its 65 holiday parks, following “strong bookings for 2026.”

On the road with Brad Royce: Boomerang’s country-wide training programme puts the Jigsaw Entertainment System centre stage

Ahead of the UK holiday park season swinging into full gear, Boomerang Digital’s Brad Royce has been traversing the country ensuring that the sector’s entertainment teams are fully up to speed with the capabilities of its Jigsaw Entertainment ...

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. 

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.”

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...

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?

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...