A new drive from Bacta to enhance the relationship the trade association enjoys with the Government has seen it meet with 10 Labour Party MPs since the turn of the year. With Bacta setting an ambitious target of meeting with an MP a week throughout the course of 2025 Coinslot caught-up with George McGregor, Bacta’s Executive Director (Government Relations), for his take on the state of play, how he believes the new Government views the industry and what actually is holding up the white paper?

Coinslot: Bacta has met with a number of Labour MPs since the turn of the year – what feedback have you had in terms of their perception of the industry: are they broadly supportive or suspicious?

George McGregor: We’ve held face-to-face meetings with 10 newly elected Labour MPs since the start of the year most of whom represent coastal and High Street constituencies. Without exception all have been supportive of the industry and of the contributions made by Bacta members to the local economy. Their location means that they are fully engaged with the role that the industry plays in supporting the tourism supply chain and providing employment opportunities for local people.

For those MPs who may be familiar with the businesses but have not visited the venues we have moved swiftly to extend invitations in partnership with the relevant Bacta members. Bacta’s political engagement programme is a key benefit of being a member and we want to open a dialogue between the membership and their MPs.

The more we engage with MPs and the more opportunities that we take to discuss key issues which impact the business the stronger our relationship. We have set ourselves a target of meeting with an MP a week throughout the duration of 2025.

Coinslot: How have Bacta’s arguments with reference to the white paper recommendations been received?

George McGregor: Being completely honest there has not been a deep understanding among new MPs of the Gambling White Paper, its recommendations for the land based sector and the cross-party support it enjoys.

Our arguments are three fold.

Firstly we have been explaining why the recommendations should be introduced as a package, secondly why the industry needs to have the facility to offer modern payments methods including the use of debit cards on gaming machines and thirdly why businesses need a reform of machine numbers. A number of MPs have confirmed that they will be writing to the Gambling Minister to help expedite the earliest possible introduction of the white paper recommendations.

Coinslot: At the Bacta Convention members expressed concern about the Government’s attitude to business – is it unfair to categorise Labour as being anti-business?

George McGregor: We haven’t detected any what might be termed as anti-business sentiment in any of our conversations with all of the MPs being pro-growth and pro-business. However, we have been very clear about our concerns regarding the above inflation increases in the National Minimum Wage and the increases in National Insurance Contributions which will hamper growth not encourage it.

We need the new government to translate their words into concrete policies and in the process get the economy moving.

Coinslot: What more does Baroness Twycross need to implement the white paper reforms – where do you think the problems/concerns sit?

George McGregor: When Baroness Twycross spoke at the GambleAware Conference she went on the record to confirm that Labour supported the white paper in opposition and continues to do so in government. Although we are concerned at what we regard as being an undue delay and the implications the delay has in terms of impacting the entire supply chain I don’t believe that the hold up is due to anything other than practical reasons.

We have a new minister in a new government – none of which detracts from the importance of getting the job done at the earliest opportunity.

Coinslot: Do you get any sense that the progress of the white paper is being sabotaged/undermined?

George McGregor: Absolutely not. We continue to take the Government at its word and we look forward to progress being made.

Coinslot: What can Bacta members do to assist with the process and how easy is it to see constituency MPs?

George McGregor: I cannot stress how important it is for Bacta members to engage with their constituency MPs at their Friday surgeries. By doing so MPs can literally put a face and a personality to our broader industry arguments. It’s an incredibly powerful tool that can pay long-term dividends across a range of issues.

Building trust is key and if Bacta members would like assistance in organising a visit or a meeting with their MP, simply get in touch with Dane Bainbridge, Bacta’s Public Affairs Advisor, who is on hand to help with all political engagement.

He can be reached at Dane.Bainbridge@bacta.org.uk