News
More £500 slot machines for bingo clubs, but none at seaside
Ministers rejected pleas yesterday to allow seaside resorts to introduce high-stakes gambling machines of the kind proving to be a big draw in betting shops.
The gambling minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, did, however, bow to the rapid decline of bingo clubs by announcing they would be allowed to increase £1-stake/£500-prize gaming machines from four to eight per hall. The bingo industry had asked for an increase to 16.
Review of Research, Education & Treatment Second Consultation
Bacta will be fighting hard to maintain the voluntary system for this and will seek support from other associations and work closely with RIGT.
Following the publication of the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 20071 (the Prevalence Survey), which found that rates of problem gambling had remained at 0.6% of the adult population since the last survey in 1999, the government asked the Gambling Commission to undertake a review of the current voluntary arrangements for industry funding of gambling research, public education and treatment and to report on this.
INITIAL SUCCESS BY RANK GROUP PLC IN ITS LINNEWEBER APPEAL
Early yesterday (22 May 2008), Rank issued a Press Release stating that the VAT and Duties Tribunal had allowed its appeal in respect of the VAT treatment of interval bingo.
RIGT Reaches Target for 2007-08
The Responsibility in Gambling Trust have announced that it received voluntary donations of £3.6m in the financial year ending 31 March 2008, against a target of £3.5m from licensed operators.
Treasury and DCMS fail to take action
In the wake of the latest Budget speech, the coin-op business has been left to reflect on the deeper implications of a missed opportunity to help the industry. In his maiden speech the chancellor, Alistair Darling, increased amusement machine licence duty (AMLD) in line with inflation but did not deliver any new measures to aid the business. BACTA feels that this increase in AMLD was a "missed opportunity by government to offer a lifeline to the industry".
Stakes and Prizes of Adult Gaming Machines
In a letter to his parliamentary colleagues, Tobias Ellwood, Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, has explained the effects that the recently introduced gambling act has had on the gaming machine industry.
Conservative Party supports BACTA's campaign to save British Arcades
BACTA welcomes Conservative Party support for campaign to save British Amusement Arcades industry.
The Conservative Party has pledged today to amend the Government's Gambling Act 2005 to remove the perverse effects of the legislation upon the British amusement arcade and machine manufacturing trades.
MPs tell BACTA members to lobby for 100 signatures on EDM 840
At our recent lobby day at Parliament, MP’s told BACTA members the industry to pester their local representatives in order to support the EDM 840 and make sure the issue registers on the government's radar.
BACTA Lobby Day – The Outcome
BACTA continued its push for a regulatory level playing field at the Houses of Parliament last week with more than 90 members coming from all over the country to lobby their local MPs for change in the gambling regulations.
Dr Ladyman, MP joins the coin-op Debate
Dr Stephen Ladyman, MP was among the first politicians to defend the interests of seaside operators in the wake of the Budd Report. Now he's has joined the latest coin-op debate.
Manchester Casino Plans Finally Abandoned
After months of intense debate, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has finally abandoned plans for a Las Vegas-style super-casino in Manchester.
BACTA Lobby Day
Members of the UK amusement industry today gathered at the House of Commons to ask MPs to review the implementation of the Gambling Act, which came into force on September 1st 2007.
Reflections on ATEI 2008
ATEI 2008 the 'industry barometer’ gave out a mixed set of responses from exhibitors and visitors. While trade at Earls Court was reported as "noticeably down" in several areas there were enough positive comments from other exhibitors to suggest that it had been worthwhile for some.
New Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Following James Purnell's move to be Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the 24th January, following Peter Hain's resignation, his position as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has been taken by Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh
James Purnell has had the shortest tenure as culture secretary, lasting just six months before his promotion, which is a far cry from the stability and consistency provided by Tessa Jowell's six years in the position.
Alan Willis OBE
It is with great sadness that we advise members of the death of Alan Willis OBE on 28 December 2007 after a long illness. Alan was BACTA’s general secretary for thirty years.
Peter Dean wants to see international co-operation
Gambling Commission chairman Peter Dean has called for international gambling regulators to work together to police what is fast becoming a global activity.
DCMS says it will act if there's a problem
Following further discussions between BACTA and DCMS minister Gerry Sutcliffe, fresh assurances have been given that the government has no wish for the coin-op industry to suffer as a result of the new Gambling Act.
HSG175 - The newly worked Guidance is published at Last!
After a long wait, new guidance for the fairgrounds and amusement parks industry has finally been published.
The contents of the new guidance were agreed through the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) on fairgrounds and amusement parks. This new guidance has been published by the HSE and is entitled: ‘Fairgrounds and amusement parks: guidance on safe practice HSG175’, ISBN 0 7176 1174 4.
Keith Smith stands down as BACTA's Chief Executive
After three years as our Chief Executive, Keith Smith has decided to stand down at the Convention in November. Thankfully for the association and its membership, his replacement comes from within. Keith will be succeeded by Leslie MacLeod-Miller who is currently employed as BACTA's General Counsel.
BACTA Creates Two More Life Members.
Acknowledging the efforts of the industry's finest with Life Membership, BACTA has inducted two of its prominent industry members to Life Membership of the Association. The decision to award Martin Burlin and Nat Solomon life membership was ratified at October’s National Council.
