Having joined Bacta as director of communications in June, Allaster Gair has been quick to establish a set of priorities for 2026, telling attendees at this year’s AGM that the association will focus on the upcoming consultations, on pursuing reform to the 80/20 ratio, delivering clarity on cashless, engaging with councils, and rolling out the Self Exclusion Action Plan.

After a “fairly lively” first few months as director of communications for Bacta, Allaster Gair took the opportunity of this year’s AGM to introduce the association’s plan for 2026, including how the committee intends to keep driving positive policy and regulatory reform.

Having joined in June this year, Gair leapt straight into “the five big areas that will define the year ahead,” beginning with the Category D stakes and prizes consultation, addressing machine complexity, ticket redemption and inconsistencies in regulation.

“Bacta will coordinate responses with members so that evidence is strong, consistent and rooted in real operational experience,” said Gair. “The purpose is simple. We want outcomes that are proportionate, modern and commercially sensible, while giving confidence to officials that safeguards remain solid.”

Outside Cat D, Bacta remains “realistic” on the fact there is no current political appetite for a wider stakes and prizes review in the short term, however the association hopes to make significant strides through the bingo consultation to ensure policy outcomes are workable in practice.

The second point of the plan is to pursue 80/20 reform, with the Budget having already established the conditions for “sensible regulatory change that grows tax receipts the right way,” while technical standards and cashless will form the thrust of the third point of action, with the latter treated as “a business critical reform.”

“The land based sector needs a clear, workable cashless pathway. Not a model that is pushed on us,” said Gair.

The fourth point will see Bacta intensify its engagement with local authorities to iron out inconsistencies and misconceptions, while the fifth and final focus will be a national roll out of the Self Exclusion Action Plan.