As the countdown starts to the 2025 Bacta Annual Convention, members continue to register in record numbers for what is one of the trade association’s landmark events of the year.
With speculation mounting as to the content of the Chancellor’s Budget speech which will be delivered the day prior to Convention, specifically whether the land-based sector will be hit by an increase in MGD, Convention sponsors Sascha Blodau, General Manager MERKUR UK, and Quentin Stott, Managing Director, Reflex Gaming, shared their insight and aspirations for what promises to be the most important Bacta Convention for decades.
Sascha Blodau
Quentin Stott
“Bacta’s Annual Convention is the stand-out event on the association’s calendar – the one moment each year when operators, manufacturers, suppliers and key stakeholders across the UK’s amusement and gaming sector come together under one roof.
Its value lies not only in the ability to meet, network and share insight, but also in the quality of discussion and the access it provides to senior decision-makers. This year will be particularly insightful, with Minister Fiona Twycross and Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the Gambling Commission, giving their perspectives on the sector. Hearing directly from the people shaping policy and regulation – and understanding both the opportunities and the challenges ahead – is something I am genuinely looking forward to. Their contributions will help us all to prepare for the future with clarity and confidence.
It’s not a one-way street and we should take the opportunity to underline the vital importance of the white paper recommendations to be actioned notably the 80/20 rule so that the sector is able to remove unnecessary costs and meet customer demand.
The Convention sets the tone for the year ahead, strengthens Bacta’s collective voice, and reinforces the sector’s commitment to high standards, responsible innovation and continued investment across Britain’s high streets.
The Parliamentary Reception is an extremely important part of the Convention week. It provides a rare and valuable opportunity for Bacta members to engage directly with MPs – many of whom represent constituencies where members are major employers and contributors to the local economy.
Being able to have face-to-face conversations with parliamentarians helps us highlight the positive role the industry plays, the investment we make, and the steps we take on safer gambling and community engagement. It also reinforces the message that AGCs, FECs and the supply chain are responsible, regulated, and an essential part of the UK leisure landscape.
Combined with the Convention itself, the reception helps ensure our concerns and ambitions are heard at the highest level – and that policymakers understand the real-world impact of their decisions.
With the Convention taking place the day after the Budget, members will arrive with one major question finally answered: what is happening with Machine Gaming Duty? The speculation that has been circulating for weeks will be replaced by clarity, making this a defining moment for our sector.
As for the outcome, the mood is cautiously pragmatic. The old saying applies: ‘plan for the worst and hope for the best.’ The risk of an increase has undoubtedly risen in recent weeks as the Chancellor pulls together the numbers. We all hope that the land-based sector which has invested heavily, protected thousands of jobs and supported high streets through difficult times – will be spared.
If the Treasury proceeds with an increase, it may deliver a short-term gain on paper, but the reality would be fewer jobs, business closures, and a slowdown in investment. I remain optimistic that the Government will recognise
this and avoid a move that would ultimately harm both the sector and the communities
we work in.”
“The annual convention is a long-standing event in the industry calendar and an excellent opportunity to discuss some of the bigger issues facing our sector. These issues are often pertinent to each and every Bacta member.
Being able to listen to experts debate the key issues and hearing from Government Ministers as well as our regulator make it a must attend event for those who wish to keep their finger on the pulse. I’m hoping we get an indication from the Minister for Gambling, Baroness Twycross, that the years of waiting for the outcome of the cross-party supported White Paper is finally being taken forward.
I suspect that the reality will be less exciting, with the current stagnation remaining for the foreseeable future. I hope I’m wrong.
Last year’s budget heaped disproportionate additional pressure on our sector, and we are in a period where land-based operators are holding off on investment due to the threat of further increases as rumoured daily in the press. If the Budget leaves us alone, then we’ll start seeing further investments in products, premises and people.
The land-based sector has already had its ‘pips squeezed’ enough. Any further pressures will, no doubt, result in the closure of premises and job losses at scale.
My personal opinion is that the current government simply doesn’t understand business, I fear that the budget may well deliver further pressure and sadly that we’ll start seeing further decline.”
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