Bacta is on the front foot as it responds to an increasingly toxic propaganda campaign which is targeting Britain’s high street AGCs. A rapid response unit has been created to address the rhetoric of the anti-gambling coalition. The trade association will be investing in the deployment of evidence-based arguments as a cornerstone of its campaign to promote and protect the businesses of Bacta members.

Bacta has formed a rapid response unit to help combat what it believes is an orchestrated campaign designed to delay and in some cases derail the introduction of the reforms outlined in the Conservative government’s gambling white paper. Published in April 2023 the white paper set out the previous administration’s recommendations for the long-awaited modernisation of gambling regulations following its detailed review of the Gambling Act, a forensic process which began in December 2020.

The response unit, which is being chaired by Bacta Vice President Joseph Cullis, draws on the expertise and experience of a team of Bacta National Council members comprising Elizabeth Speed (Novomatic UK), Tony Boulton (MERKUR Group UK), Jeremy Godden (Godden Gaming), Peter Davies (Inspired Entertainment) and former Bacta President Nick Harding who over a five year period grew Praesepe from a cash shell to a national brand operating 180 gaming venues and with a workforce of 1,800. The dedicated team is being supported by current Bacta President John Bollom, Executive Director (Government Relations) George McGregor and Public Affairs Advisor Dane Bainbridge.

Bacta has become increasingly concerned at a propaganda campaign targeting Britain’s high street AGCs and which is designed to tarnish the reputation of the industry in the eyes of policy makers and politicians operating at both national and local levels.  Explaining how the unit will operate and the egregious challenges the industry faces, Joseph Cullis said: “Make no mistake this is much more than simply a couple of inflammatory and salacious newspaper reports. We are facing a highly motivated and well-funded campaign where the ultimate end game is to drive responsible gambling entertainment businesses, employing local people and sustaining supply chains of local business off the high street.

“The media coverage, much of which is based on half-truths and misinformation is feeding the briefing of politicians and policy makers which we believe may explain the otherwise unfathomable delay in the implementation of the white paper reforms. We have allocated additional resource to increase and enhance our lobbying activities and we are commissioning additional independent economic impact research. I can assure Bacta members that we will be bringing the full influence of the trade association to take-on the anti-gambling coalition and debunk its spurious accusations and exploitation of statistics.”