There was small comfort for the UK amusement and gaming industry from the big turnout of parliamentarians speaking at the Bacta Convention.
One after another, top civil servants, current MPs and former ministers stood up to address members and while each praised the organisation’s willingness to co-operate with the authorities, few held out much hope of relief.
Issues raised included the minimum wage, outdated stakes and prizes, the new statutory levy, increased costs from energy suppliers, the National Insurance increase and inheritance rights.
In response to an assurance that many of these issues were under review, operator Billy Edwards commented: “We cannot wait five years; we need it now, not tomorrow."
The best hint was to come from Sarah Fox, the deputy director for gambling and lotteries at the UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), who said that the recently announced statutory levy on profits in aid of problem gambling research and the online slot stake limits were not necessarily the only recommendations of the white paper that would be considered.
“The DCMS’ immediate role is to work through the recommendations of the white paper,” she said, suggesting that other elements of the recommendations might be implemented.
However, "it takes time," Fox added. eliciting Edwards’ comment.
The convention, held at One Birdcage Walk, London, within sight of Parliament, was well-attended by members and slickly presented by Bacta president John Bollom, his deputy Joseph Cullis and government relations director George McGregor. For the first time the convention was live-streamed.
The latter noted that when he first came in contact with Bacta in 2004, the main topic was the upcoming Gambling Act of 2005.
"Twenty years later we are debating a new Gambling Act," he said.
He noted that while the new government’s stated priority was growth, Bacta had a role to play in that.
“The sector has a bright future; we can help rejuvenate high streets, save the nation’s pubs and help the seasides.”
He said that since July some of the government’s initiatives appeared to be designed to hinder, rather than help.
“We need to deliver the white paper reforms, notably cashless gaming. We need an end to this uncertainty.”
After Fox had delivered her address, praising the spirit of co-operation the DCMS had enjoyed with Bacta and calling for help in the collection of supporting data, President Bollom said that the organisation had already begun that process.
Tim Miller of the Gambling Commission also spoke of the relationship between his department and Bacta. Once fractious but now harmonious, there is a "spirit of collaboration," Miller said.
The Commission was now engaged in preparing its next series of consultation responses, part of which would be to look at the industry’s position on technical standards, another subject for which machine operators had great concern.
“It is only by working together that we can deal with the recommendations of the white paper,” he concluded.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP, chair of the House of Commons DCMS Select Committee (pictured), spoke to the convention and expressed some concerns about the newly introduced statutory levy in terms of its impact on the industry.
“One hundred million pounds is a lot of money,” said Dame Caroline, promising that the detail of the levy would be examined closely by the Select Committee.
“There are some questions still to be asked,” she said, adding the Committee wants to "know where there are gaps in legislation,” reporting on a State of Play initiative designed to evaluate information form the sector.
MP Stuart Andrew, the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport - and former gambling minister - told the convention that he admired Bacta's work against "head winds of regulation" and its charitable endeavours.
He pointed out that the industry did far more than just sustain itself; it offered career opportunities for youngsters and helped generate growth in the towns and cities of the UK.
Andrew apologised to Bacta for the failure of his party, when in power, to push through the white paper reforms when it had the opportunity. He echoed Dame Caroline’s concerns about the statutory levy and whether it was proportionate.
Andrew promised that his party would press the current government to adapt or adopt into regulation the reforms recommended in the white paper.
“We ran out of time [when in power] and I wish we could have implemented those changes, for which I apologise," he said.
A panel discussion on the performance so far of the new government, saw some scathing criticism from Kate Nicholls of UK Hospitality, Miles Baron of the Bingo Association, Chris Jones of Coin Slot and Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South.
The President’s Address from John Bollom, now in his second period of office, noted the reforms within Bacta, with such streamlining as reducing numbers in the National Council from 40 to just 11 and other changes which he said had progressed well in its first year.
On the statutory levy and limitations on online slot stakes, Bollom said that the association understood the necessity for early action.
“But the white paper should be taken as a package and implemented as a package. If the government is committed to growth it needs to adopt all of the recommendations.”
He concluded by noting that this year was Bacta’s 50th anniversary.
“We have come a long way in that time. I want to make sure that Bacta is fighting fit for the next 50 years."
