One of Britain's largest operating companies has dramatically quit the trade association, BACTA.
Praesepe plc, a key member of the association’s Division 3 gave no official reason for its decision. It is one of the UK’s senior operators of adult gaming centres (AGCs) with 83 locations, plus six bingo clubs, four family entertainment centres and an online bingo site.
In a press release it has stated simply that it will now seek support to form a separate AGC trade association. Its chief executive is Nick Harding, who only two years ago was BACTA’s national president.
It is our understanding that the resignation of Praesepe stems from internal differences between some members of Division 3, led by Praesepe’s Nick Harding and BACTA’s current national president, Neil Chinn. Neither was prepared to comment on those differences this week.
Neil Chinn’s presidency at BACTA is due to expire in March, 2011. In an official response to the Praesepe declaration, the association regretted the loss of company as a member and argued that “effective political lobbying is not achieved through fragmentation.”
