Bacta’s role in protecting its members’ interests is once again centre stage following the launch of the formal consultation process into the review of Technical Standards. The trade association is launching its campaign with an all members’ webinar and is encouraging maximum participation as it outlines a detailed programme of activities to deliver a cogent and coordinated response to an issue which has a profound impact on the industry.

With the Gambling Commission launching the formal consultation process on the much anticipated and hugely significant review of Technical Standards, Bacta is encouraging members to dial in to its first Webinar of 2025 and contribute to the trade association’s response to the request for evidence. The Webinar is taking place at 11am on Tuesday 11 February and can be accessed using the following link Join the meeting now

Whilst Technical Standards sits at the top of the Agenda, the Webinar will also provide an opportunity to update members on a range of pressing issues including the Gambling White Paper, Bacta’s progress in lobbying for a review of stakes and prizes and the Gambling Commission’s focus on ‘raising standards’.  It will also feature a presentation of Bacta’s accounts.  

President John Bollom is urging members to join the webinar in order to understand fully the scope of the Consultation and its proposals, the information requests the Commission will be making of a sample of Bacta members and the critical importance of participating in the consultation which closes May 20th.

He stated: “Make no mistake this is an incredibly detailed consultation document the outcome of which will have profound implications for Bacta members.

“The importance of Technical Standards to the industry was evident in the volume of responses we received in the pre-consultation period and we will again be asking for Bacta members’ help in the coming weeks starting with the Webinar.

“Bacta will be submitting a detailed and evidence-based response and we have established a critical path of activities in order to deliver this on behalf of our members. To achieve this National Council will take the lead in agreeing Bacta’s response guided by the excellent work of the Bacta Technical Standards Committee, chaired by Alan Claypole, and Bacta’s Gaming Council, chaired by Peter Davies.”

With reference to engaging with the Commission he noted: “We are seeking to arrange a meeting with Gambling Commission officials together with members of Bacta’s Technical Standards Committee and Bacta’s Gaming Council to discuss the consultation document. We are also seeking to arrange a regional visit by Gambling Commission officials to AGCs and Clubs.

“Working alongside colleagues in the Bingo Association will ensure a cogent and coordinated industry response to an issue which sits at the heart of what we contribute as an industry.”

A survey of Bacta members undertaken during pre-consultation in September 2024 demonstrated the impact of the proposed changes to Technical Standards as presented with some observers describing them as representing ‘an existential threat to the very existence of numerous operators.’