The Bacta Convention was notable for a number of reasons not least the very real concerns and anxieties which exist amongst members regarding the dramatic increase in business costs contained within Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget. Bacta is responding by putting together an evidence-based case to offset the increases courtesy of the gambling reforms recommended in the white paper and the first stake and prize review for 10-years.

Bacta is calling on members to contribute to the creation of a ‘robust business case’ in support of a modernisation of gambling regulations and a urgent review of stakes and prizes.

The team at Bacta House is analysing the responses which have been received to the Budget Business Costs Survey, which was sent to members following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget. According to Bacta, the responses which will be aggregated and remain non-attributable, have revealed what it is describing as some ‘eye-watering’ projected increases in the costs of running a business once the proposals contained in the Budget become operative in April 2025.

George McGregor, Bacta’s Executive Director (Government Relations) said: “Huge thanks to those Bacta members who have already replied to the survey, but we are looking to receive more insights from businesses of all sizes. Quite simply, the more evidence that we have the stronger our case for the introduction of the gambling reforms that the land based industry so desperately needs to be competitive, in addition to securing the first review of stakes and prizes for over a decade.”

He continued: “The recent Bacta Convention demonstrated the depth of feeling and the ‘off the scale’ levels of anxiety that members are experiencing regarding the hikes in business costs not least the drastic changes to Employers’ National Insurance contributions and allowances, and the 6.7 percent increase in the National Minimum Wage which follows two successive years of double-digit growth.”

“Bacta has earned a reputation for producing compelling evidence-based arguments and I would urge members to add to our armoury of data by completing the survey which can be accessed here https://forms.gle/4M6y1iaG2Ncu7ppW9