Street
Street
FOBTs have hit the news again this week with a significant legal development that could positively impact the UK’s bookies.
Strategic body, the Gambling Business Group, (GBG) has contacted Jeremy Wright QC congratulating him on his appointment as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
UK amusement and gaming trade association Bacta will use this year’s political party conference season as an opportunity to drive home its arguments on behalf of the industry.
Bacta CEO John White stressed the need for infrastructural investment in coastal areas by highlighting that UK seaside resorts are often sustained by the income brought in by arcades.
Nick Harding, at the helm for more than 10 years as CEO, steps down to take an alternative role within the organisation where his focus will be ‘UK market advisory’-led.
The UKGC has advised stakeholders to keep a close eye on its Twitter feed (@GamRegGB) to discover what colleagues are doing to support the Institute of Licensing’s ‘National Licensing Week’.
Any hopes for a swift cut in stake for FOBTs have been dashed following the news this week that it is likely to take up to two years to introduce the recently announced maximum £2 stake on the machines.
With the dust finally settling in the wake of the gaming review that stripped B2 machines of their maximum £100 stake, policy makers are now left with the task of sifting through the many related consultation responses submitted by the industry, among them is that of the Bingo Association.
The overall picture of health for the UK gambling market, as presented by the Gambling Commission is looking surprisingly good given the challenging nature of the business. But one sector of the business, at least, appears to remain in a state of decline - that of Category C gaming machines.
The recent triennial review of machine stakes and prizes may have been focused on the curtailment of B2 stakes, but it was not all good news for games that fall into the B3 category.