Bacta confirms dates and programme for 10th Safer Gambling Week as campaign aims to keep players informed and stay in control

Safer Gambling Week has won plaudits for its effectiveness as a consumer-facing awareness initiative. The 2025 campaign set new records generating over 80 million impressions across social media platforms. Bacta is proud to once again be suppo...

Boomerang Digital appoint former Rank Group executive Rhodri Evans as Head of Machine Data Management and Paystations

Boomerang Digital continues to build its presence from a position of strength. Following a record 2025 it has secured the services of ex Rank Group executive Rhodri Evans. The new Head of Machine Data Management and Paystations will be at ARE ...

Police are failing high street gambling businesses, argues Game Nation CEO Mark Jepp

Mark Jepp has joined the chorus of increasingly discordant voices expressing their anger at the failure of police forces to deal with criminal activities targeting Britain’s high street retailers. The industry veteran has described the respons...

UK bingo in resurgence as Buzz reports the first uptick in both admissions and sales since 2007

Buzz Bingo has delivered its first year of growth across both admissions and revenue since 2007, as bingo continues its resurgence in the UK, with modernised Buzz clubs also witnessing a 50 percent increase in new customers.

North Yorkshire Police hunting Scarborough machine thief

North Yorkshire Police has launched an appeal for witnesses to a theft at Shaws Amusement Arcade in Scarborough, which took place on 17 March.

AI driving bettors to black market sites

A report from independent journalism group Investigate Europe has found that AI chatbots are pushing UK gamblers towards the black market, with a separate investigation from Flutter exposing the lack of consumer protections in the unregulated ...

Staycation boom expected as international travel disruption boosts the appeal of home turf

A recent survey from car maker Vauxhall has found that more than two thirds of the 2,000 people surveyed plan to take a holiday in the UK this year, with 50 percent opting to remain on familiar shores due to travel disruption caused by conflic...

GBG refutes need for increases in Gambling Commission fees

The Gambling Business Group has dismissed claims put forward by the Gambling Commission that an increase in licensing fees is a necessity, highlighting the fact that the cost of “nonsensical” decisions made by the organisation are being unfair...

GambleAware’s final report highlights its inevitable downfall – and who paid for lavish rewriting of history

GambleAware’s final “legacy report” sets out an ambitious account of its impact, yet critics say it ultimately underscores why the charity’s role has come to an end. Too much money spent on itself, some say, and the arrogance of misplaced prai...

DCMS scrambles out new three-month transitional fund as levy distribution chaos continues

The stories of failed gambling harm charity applications just keep flooding in as the new grants system under the Statutory Levy hits the panic button. They were handed a mess by the outgoing GambleAware regime, but the new crop have done them...

“Seaside arcades need Easter boost”: report warns of a decade of decline and tough going

New research by CEBR paints an alarming picture of the clouds looming over the UK’s coastal economies. With turnover down a quarter in the last decade, the traditional heart and soul of the British seaside experience is under threat. We may li...

Castle Leisure rides out the rising costs with a strong 2025

Cardiff-based bingo operator Castle Leisure Ltd has reported revenue for 2025 rose 4.5 percent, while “2026 has started positively,” with the directors poised to continue riding out the inflationary trends that impacted profit for the last fin...

Increasing the tax burden will reduce contributions to the Exchequer and undermine the high street, warns MERKUR UK’s Sascha Blodau

As the broadly based leisure industry shoulders the highest tax burden in the UK economy, MERKUR UK’s Sascha Blodau points out the impact on a sector which cannot pass on costs to its customers and is still waiting a review of stakes and prize...

Bacta strongly opposes uptick in Gambling Commission fees whilst progressive White Paper reforms stagnate

Bacta has been unequivocal in its opposition to an increase in Gambling Commission fees. In its submission the trade body argued that the government’s premise for an uptick – namely the need for additional resource to implement changes arising...

Slash the business rates multiplier for pubs to 28 pence, urges Martin

The chairman of JD Wetherspoon, Sir Tim Martin, has called for a reduction in the business rates multiplier for pubs to 28 pence.

GamCom updates Levy rules to exclude income from “non-GB leviable activity”

The Gambling Commission has updated its Gambling Levy Regulations to exclude invoices generated from “non-GB leviable activity,” following a review into the administration of the tax.

Funstation’s Chris Alexander to take on London Landmarks Half-Marathon for Rays of Sunshine

Funstation’s Head of Marketing & Customer Experience, Chris Alexander, will be taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 12 April to raise money for Rays of Sunshine. Ahead of his “amazing feat”, Coinslot listens in as Rays of Sunshi...

Stonegate building profitability amid widespread shift from managed venue structure

Stonegate has reported a significant bump in profitability across its pub estate as a direct result of transitioning the majority of the 850-strong managed division to the Craft Union brand, or into leased and tenanted venues.

Clacton Pier sees good prospects for “staycation boost” over summer season

Clacton Pier is anticipating a “staycation boost” this summer, despite UK families being hit hard with rising costs and issues with foreign travel.

Latest NCTA survey finds  visitors “very positive” about UK coastal breaks 

The latest consumer survey from the National Coastal Tourism Academy has reported the sentiment around UK seaside holidays is “very positive,” with 97 percent of respondents satisfied with trips taken in 2025, and 88 percent praising value for...

MPs raise conflict of interest concerns as Rhodes looks to join industry

Andrew Rhodes’ plan to remain in the industry after stepping down as CEO of the Gambling Commission has obviously ruffled some feathers. So much so that his possible step across the divide to the industry side has been questioned by Shadow Min...

“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...