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...

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. 

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.”

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...

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.

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.

Game Nation CEO: the AGC sector can learn from bingo on workplace diversity

The AGC sector has come a long way in terms of recruiting and promoting talented female colleagues – but and as far as Mark Jepp is concerned – not far enough. In a searingly honest appraisal, he points to the bingo sector for inspiration wher...

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.”

“Really, really frustrating”: pub landlord responds to Reeves Spring statement

A combination of war and a determined effort to minimise the status of the Spring Statement did little to suppress the anger around the hospitality and high street retail sector that the government is simply not listening to its existential fe...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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 ...

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...

MERKUR make £100,000 donation to children’s charity

MERKUR is committed to giving back to the communities that it serves. There can be few organisations more worthy of support than the Momentum Children’s Charity which provides invaluable support and care to the families and children affected b...

Showmen’s Guild progresses Living Heritage bid with DCMS

The Showmen’s Guild has advanced its bid to have funfairs and circuses recognised as part of the UK’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, following the official launch of the Government’s Living Heritage Inventory last month.

The authorities must cover the costs to tackle the black market – not the industry, argues Peter Hannibal

Tighter regulations and rising taxes continue to play a crucial part in fuelling the black market, driving players away from the regulated sector to seek bigger returns and less obstructions elsewhere. So why should the legitimate industry pay...

Blueprint Operations celebrates consistent growth hitting 45k install base

Having a clearly defined development strategy, a commitment to work in partnership with its customers and a deep connection with the industry is paying dividends across all sectors of the gambling entertainment business.

Brighton Pier courting buyers from Gulf states as BPG “spreads net a bit wider” 

Brighton Pier Group is reportedly pursuing interest in the Palace Pier from members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, with CEO Anne Ackord telling Arabian Gulf Business Insight that the company is looking to spread its net “a bit wider” to achi...

Investor confidence in the UK is at its lowest level, warns BPG chairman Luke Johnson

Brighton Pier Group chairman Luke Johnson has warned that confidence among UK employers and investors has reached a historic low.

Game Nation become game-changers as CHIPS Charity chair transforms the life of 12-year-old Leah

Game Nation has certainly thrown its weight behind its partnership with the CHIPS Charity. The company has followed-up October’s presentation to Hampshire youngster Alfie in double quick time handing-over a powered chair to 12-year-old Leah fr...

Craig Morgan: Bingo halls and AGCs are the high street’s “last true social spaces” 

Gambling consultant Craig Morgan has suggested bingo clubs and AGCs are “the last true social spaces” on the UK high street, as customers continue to seek out places to interact with their local community against a backdrop of retail decline....

Gen Z embraces bingo as operator’s tech investments pay off

Younger Britons are turning to bingo halls for sociable, inclusive evenings, with operators adapting technology and events to meet demand from a generation seeking connection and shared experiences.