Bacta President Joseph Cullis has responded to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s media attack on Adult Gaming Centres describing it as being unfair, unjustified and lacking evidence.
In a communication with Bacta members, National President Joseph Cullis issued a stern response to new PM Andy Burnham’s recent criticism of AGCs. He wrote: “Bacta fully supports measures to help pubs, clubs and other valued community businesses. However, that support should not be funded by penalising another lawful, licensed and heavily regulated leisure sector.”
He continued: “It is deeply concerning to hear our members described as businesses that do not make a positive contribution to their communities. Bacta will always stand up for its members, their employees and their customers when the sector is unfairly singled out or misrepresented.”
Updating members on Bacta’s response he noted: “Over the past 24 hours, we have worked intensively. Letters and formal representations to Government are being prepared, media engagement is underway, and we are considering every appropriate political, communications and legal avenue available to defend the sector.”
He confirmed that Bacta will begin visiting member venues to film content highlighting the contribution businesses make and the consequences that further cost increases could have.
Issuing a rallying call and invitation for members to contribute to the arguments being deployed by the trade association he stated: “We may also ask members over the coming weeks and months to sign open letters, provide business data, share employee testimony or support local media and parliamentary engagement. It is of the utmost importance that we come together as a membership to resist any proposal that threatens the livelihoods of our members and the future of the sector.”
And he re-inforced his view in an interview with SBC News stating: “Bacta will oppose any attempt to make AGCs pay for relief awarded to other high street businesses.
“Pubs, clubs and music venues deserve support, but that support should not be funded by imposing further costs on another lawful, licensed and heavily taxed sector. AGCs already pay Machine Games Duty, irrecoverable VAT, business rates, statutory levy contributions and substantial compliance costs.
“Singling them out would be arbitrary, economically damaging and particularly harmful to independent and family-owned operators.”
The protectors
Joseph Cullis said……. “It is deeply concerning to hear our members described as businesses that do not make a positive contribution to their communities. Bacta will always stand up for its members, their employees and their customers when the sector is unfairly singled out……
Originally published on Coinslot on August 3, 2026. Republished with permission.