A spokesperson for the government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) declared that its decision to review the so-called “80/20 rule” has been delayed indefinitely and will not now happen in 2025.

What Is the 80/20 Rule for UK AGC Slot Machines?

The law states that only 20% of all AGC or bingo venue slot machines can be Category B3 terminals. These B3 terminals have a maximum stake of £2; all prizes are capped at £500.

The remaining 80% of AGC machines must be lower-stakes Category C or D units, which are capped at £1 per stake and have prize money limited to just £100.

The directive to lower the proposed ratio of B3 machines was first touted as part of a broader 2023 gambling white paper. Initially, it proposed loosening the rules to a more favourable 50/50 split, but even then, others from within the AGC industry were calling to remove the ordinance altogether.

However, this week’s revelation of the proposal’s pause has already riled the AGC sector, who argue that the outdated 80/20 regulation stifles the industry’s growth.

Following the decision, John Bollom, President of Bacta, the UK’s leading trade association representing arcades and low-stakes gambling venues, contended: “This reform is common sense, safe for players, and good for our ailing high streets.”

DCMS Defends Decision, Citing Player Protection Gaps

Despite the AGC industry’s assertions, the DCMS insisted its decision was influenced by its concerns about insufficient safeguards across the sector to protect vulnerable gamblers. Nevertheless, while government officials asserted that the industry needs to focus on ensuring stronger player protections, they did not rule out revisiting the issue later.

AGCs are known to forge mixed feelings in the UK, with the public perception often tainted by high-profile scandals. The most recent occurrence resulted in regulators fining slot machine operator Merkur Group UK £95,450 earlier this year.

Critics of changing the regulations governing the industry include former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, who currently chairs a parliamentary group probing the effects of problem gambling.

Speaking on the matter, Duncan Smith stated, “Given the insufficient protections in place for people in these venues and the addictive nature of these machines, increasing their numbers should be ruled out entirely, and the current widespread breaches of regulations by AGCs, which are now proliferating on our high streets, must be urgently looked into.”

The DCMS’ announcement followed recent demands by a coalition of more than 39 local authorities calling for local councils to be granted greater powers to limit high street gambling outlets. Demonstrating cross-party support, Labour MP Beccy Cooper also responded to the news, supporting the decision, claiming, “Communities must be empowered to reduce gambling harms,” she said.

With the fate of the 80/20 ruling stalled for now, the AGC sector’s growing footprint across the UK shows no signs of slowing. However, the mounting public and political pressure has, for now, led to the DCMS pushing back on the AGC industry’s desire to install more high-stakes B3 machines.

The post AGC Industry Frustrated as UK Postpones Review of Slot Machine Ratio Rules appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Ygam’s Gaming & Esports Programme is designed to educate young gamers, their parents and carers, as well as professionals working across the video game and esports sectors. 

The release reads that: “Ygam’s new programme will actively address the growing need for more effective education on digital safeguarding.” 

Data cited in the report suggests that 80% of 16-24 year-olds play video games, and of that sample, 83% play online. 

What the YGam Programme Covers

The program developed by Ygam includes education surrounding pertinent topics such as microtransactions and virtual currencies, the role of advertising, and evolving gaming mechanics. It also features modules on the potential impact of gaming on mental health, the benefits of pursuing a career in esports, inclusivity within gaming,, and how to foster safer virtual spaces. 

Sacha Kent, Programme Lead for Gaming & Esports, commented: “It’s vital we recognise the central role gaming plays in the digital lives that children lead today. This new programme marks an important step in helping young people enjoy gaming safely, with the knowledge and tools to better understand potential risks and harms. 

“Through our work with parents, young people, and professionals across sectors, we know there is a real demand for this kind of education. We’re incredibly proud and excited to begin delivering it to communities across the country,” continued Kent. 

Ygam delivered a pilot to students from the Sheffield United Community Foundation and students from Sheffield Hallam University. The charity believes that the pilot was “well received” by both staff and young people.

Ygam has already delivered the programme to nearly 100 people through two open sessions and to the Newcastle United Foundation. A full program of open sessions will take place in April and May. 

Lia Thompson, President of the Gaming & Esports Society at Sheffield Hallam University stated: “I think the new Ygam programme is really important – the Gaming and Esports industry is going in the right direction with the increasing ability to report inappropriate behaviour, but safeguarding needs to start before that. There needs to be more awareness of the behaviour that is actively happening, so that it stops being normalised. If we can get young people to think about this early on, we can stop it from happening in the first place, and Ygam’s new programme really helps to achieve this.

She added: “As a woman in gaming, you see these behaviours normalised from a young age, so you begin to think that’s how you should act to be accepted by the community. This is not the true version of yourself, and toxic behaviour online should not be enabled like this. Ygam’s training is bringing attention to the impact of these behaviours, changing mindsets and helping others feel more comfortable calling it out to make their communities and peers safer.”

Linking Gaming Behavior to Gambling Risks

The UK Parliamentary Committee on Public Health and Social Care recently met and discussed in depth the intersection of gaming and gambling with specific relation to gambling-related harms.

Although Ygam’s campaign covers more than just gambling, an understanding of microtransactions and virtual currencies and their wider use is integral in safeguarding against the early development of behaviors that can later lead to gambling-related harms. 

A DCMS inquiry into loot boxes and their potential harms ruled that they should not fall under the same regulatory requirements as traditional gambling products.

The post New YGam Education Tackles Gaming Risks, Microtransactions, and Virtual Harms appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The report, which primarily looks at the ways in which the gambling industry is regulated, suggested that the UK Gambling Commission and Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport should ‘be more strategic’ in the ways that it encourages licensees to protect punters.

While the report emphasised that the UKGC has implemented measures which have helped make gambling safer, it also highlighted that incentives could be utilised in order to push operators ‘to do more to make gambling safer beyond meeting minimum requirements’.

Among its recommendations, the NAO has suggested that both the regulator and government must become ‘more systematic and detailed’ in the ways that it records and analyses customer data.

The conclusions of the report found: “Gambling-related harm is a serious problem for the individual affected and people close to them. It imposes potentially significant costs on public services and society more widely, although the government has a limited understanding of these impacts. The Gambling Commission is a small regulator in a challenging and dynamic industry.

“To reduce these harms, it has increased its regulatory action (such as penalties on operators that break rules) and its collaboration with others in the field. But there is more it needs to do to identify where problems are occurring and ensure gambling operators raise their standards.

“The way people gamble is changing, with new risks emerging in online and mobile gambling and other technological developments. The Commission’s ability to ensure consumers are protected from these new risks is constrained by factors outside its control, including inflexible funding and a lack of evidence on how developments in the industry affect consumers.

“The Commission is unlikely to be fully effective in addressing risks and harms to consumers within the current arrangements.”

Commenting on the report, Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, said: “Licensed gambling has grown by 57 per cent – £4.1 billion – over the last decade mainly due to a massive increase in online and smartphone gambling. The risks to gamblers are changing as technologies develop.

“Yet the Gambling Commission is a small regulator in a huge and fast-evolving industry. While the Commission has made improvements, gambling regulation lags behind the industry. The Commission and government need to work together to ensure that regulation keeps pace with the risk to gamblers.”

The re[pry also added that even if the UKGC were to take the recommendations on board, it is still ‘unlikely to be fully effective in regulating a challenging and fast-changing industry within the current system.’

Meg Hillier MP, chair elect of the Committee of Public Accounts, added: “Gambling firms make billions a year, often profiteering from addicts. It’s horrifying to hear that 55,000 children could be problem gamblers.

“The Gambling Commission needs to up its game. It is not doing enough to make gambling safe and ensure firms raise their standards.

“Government must play its part too. Many cash starved local authorities are not inspecting gambling premises and DCMS have failed to give the Gambling Commission access to the funding it needs. Problem gambling can lead to terrible human suffering, its high time government, regulators and industry resolved this.”

Responding to the report, a Gambling Commission spokesperson said: “We welcome today’s NAO report and are pleased that it recognises our work in making gambling safer. We agree with the report’s assessment that we face the significant challenge of regulating a dynamic and developing industry. It also underlines the constraints that our current funding arrangements presents and we are developing proposals to discuss this with DCMS.

“We have made progress in making gambling safer, but more needs to be done. In addition to a programme of tougher enforcement and compliance activity, in the last two years we have strengthened protections including online age and ID verification, customer interaction and most recently we banned gambling on credit cards.

“We must see a reduction in the number of people experiencing harm and we are currently pushing the industry to focus on poor VIP practices, advertising technology and game design.”

The post Gambling regulation failing to ‘keep pace’ with industry says NAO report appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Wilna van Wyk

Last week, the House of Commons debated the amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 and the Draft Gambling Levy Regulations.

The Impact of New Stake Limits on Online Slot Games

Under the new amendments, online slot games will be subject to a statutory maximum stake limit of £5 per spin for players aged 25 and over and £2 per spin for those aged 18 and 24. 

Introducing discussion around the new regulation, Labour MP Stephanie Peacock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, stated, “Online slots are the highest risk gambling product. They have the highest rate of binge play and the highest average losses of any online product.” 

She continued to note that the UK’s online gambling sector generates £6.9 billion annually, with online slots alone comprising 52.2% (£3.6 billion) of the market, an increase of 61% over the past five years. 

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, stayed true to his long-running anti-industry stance, welcoming limits but arguing £5 was too high. The Chair of the APPG for Gambling Reform said, “We have a problem here because we have physical shops on the high street where stakes will be limited to £2, yet we have a £5 limit for online. The online side will grow rapidly, and it has the greatest attraction for those who get hooked on gambling.” 

He continued, “Online slots are available anytime, can be marketed to every current and potential account holder, and offer unrestricted access to high-speed and addictive products.” 

Cameron Thomas, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tewkesbury, supported the changes and called for restrictions on gambling advertising and the regulation of loot boxes in video games. 

In his address, he commented, “We urgently need action to tackle pervasive gambling advertising and sponsorship. We also need action on black market gambling, and we need gaming products such as loot boxes to be regulated as gambling products to protect children from gambling harms.” 

Statutory Gambling Levy Sparks Mixed Response

The Draft Gambling Levy Regulations 2025 will impose an annual levy on all licensed gambling operators to provide consistent funding for research, prevention, and treatment of gambling addiction. 

Peacock described the levy as a “watershed moment,” adding, “The levy provides us with an opportunity and the resources to put the right projects and services in place, with clear objectives and robust governance. We want a world-leading funding and commissioning system to reduce gambling-related harm.” 

The pro-gambling lobby responded with a frosty tone. Louie French, the Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, argued that the expanded levy would disproportionately affect smaller operators and high-street bookmakers. 

“It is remarkable that in almost every conversation that the shadow DCMS team has with people across the sector, we are being told consistently that the Government is not even engaging, let alone listening,” he commented. 

Duncan Smith shunned his fellow Conservative’s concerns, commenting, “The gambling industry had years to get the voluntary levy right. The good ones contributed; the bad ones did not, or when they did, it was peanuts. The statutory levy was required; otherwise, the money would not go to many of those community groups and charities that disburse the money and work to get this done.” 

There were also comments from Jim Allister (Northern Ireland), who highlighted the lack of regulatory oversight for online gambling in Northern Ireland. Further, concerns were expressed over potential unintended consequences of stake limits, such as black market activity.

Peacock responded to French’s call for a review mechanism to monitor the pivot to the black market by assuring the government that it would review the stake limits within five years of implementation.

Written By

Wilna van Wyk

Wilna van Wyk is an online casino enthusiast with over a decade of experience working with some of the world’s biggest gambling affiliates, including Thunderstruck Media and OneTwenty Group. She specializes in gambling sites and games and provides expert knowledge on the online casino industry’s essential fundamentals.

The post MPs Clash Over £5 Stake Limit and Gambling Levy in New UK Regulations appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Implementation of £5 and £2 stake limits on online slots will come in at the end of November, signifying a landmark change for UK gambling safeguards. Approved in February, the rollout of the changes has been fragmented.

Operators were granted an initial six weeks to comply with the new rules, followed by an additional six weeks to implement technical solutions ensuring full compliance with the reduced £2 stake limit for 18-24 year olds.

DCMS cited that the latest changes are ‘a critical protection’ when it comes to safeguarding players, as it looks to enhance safeguards for more vulnerable younger players.

DCMS stated: “Technological developments in recent years have dramatically changed the way people gamble. Gambling has shifted from betting shops and casinos to online platforms, enabling play anywhere, anytime, on mobile devices, and leading to a significant rise in online gambling behaviour.

Further rollouts of White Paper measures will see UK gambling adopt a statutory levy on funding of research, education, and treatment (RET Levy) of gambling harms alongside the online stake limits.

This latest update for the RET Levy seeks to ensure £100m in annual funding for organisations, projects, and initiatives supporting the treatment and prevention of problem gambling.

This morning DCMS filed an accompanying consultation response on the RET Levy’s structure in which it revealed the Levy rates (% charged on previous year Gross Gambling Yield):

•  1.1% from all online operators
•  1.1% from all software licences
•  0.5% from land-based casinos
•  0.5% from land-based betting
•  0.2% from on-course bookmakers
•  0.2% from Adult Gaming Centres
•  0.2% from land-based bingo
•  0.1% from Family Entertainment Centres
•  0.1% from pool betting licences
•  0.1% from all machine technical licences

Operators with gross profits under £500,000 will be exempt from the levy as the government will formally review the statutory levy system within five years “with the first formal review expected by 2030.”

Prior to the announcement, reports indicated that DCMS Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross was expected to reveal key measures imminently.  Twycross stated this morning that:: “The introduction of the first legally mandated levy will be instrumental in supporting research, raising awareness, and reducing the stigma around gambling-related harm.

“We are also helping to protect those at risk, with a particular focus on young adults, by introducing stake limits for online slots. These measures will help build an NHS fit for our future and strengthen protections, whilst also allowing people to continue to gamble safely.”

In support of the RET Levy, Minister for Health Andrew Gwynne, said: “Tackling gambling harm is a crucial part of our commitment to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

“This levy will provide an important funding boost for the NHS, whilst also enabling independent research and more effective prevention initiatives. By making NHS England responsible for all treatment and support services for those experiencing gambling-related harms in England, we will ensure people are getting the most effective care possible.”

Allocation of RET funds 

The statutory levy will position the NHS as the chief commissioner of RET services, operating under a new framework to distribute funds effectively. The allocation of funds is as follows:

• 50% of the revenue will go to NHS England and equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales to develop a comprehensive support and treatment system, covering referrals, triage, recovery programmes, and aftercare services.
• 30% of the funds will focus on gambling harm prevention, including public health campaigns and training for frontline workers to identify and address gambling-related issues. The government plans to detail these strategies in the coming months.
• 20% of the funds will be allocated to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to establish a Research Programme on Gambling, aimed at delivering evidence-based insights to shape future policies and regulations.

Grainne Hurst, BGC CEO concluded: “The BGC supported plans outlined in the White Paper published last year to reform stake limits and introduce a mandatory levy to fund Research, Prevention and treatment.

“BGC members voluntarily contributed over £170m over the last four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling related harm, including £50m this year alone, funding an independent network of charities currently caring for 85 per cent of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.

“Ministers must not lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of the 22.5m people who enjoy a bet each month, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online, do so safely, while the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that just 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers.

“The tone of this announcement suggests the Government is at risk of losing perspective of these facts, while simply dancing to the tune of anti-gambling prohibitionists, which serves no one.”

The post Landmark stake changes “critical” for UK safeguarding  appeared first on CasinoBeats.

A member of the House of Lords since November 2022, Twycross will be responsible for gambling and will report to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy.

Joining Twycross and Nandy on the DCMS ministerial team is Sir Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries, Arts, and Tourism, as well as Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth.

While Twycross has been appointed as Minister for Gambling, she is also a Lords Minister and will be responsible for DCMS business in the House of Lords, with Peacock being responsible for gambling in the House of Commons.

Twycross was also appointed Baroness in Waiting (Government Whip) on 11 July. 

Commenting on her new role on her X account, Twycross said: “Delighted to be part of a fabulous team supporting @lisanandy in @DCMS.”

Previously, Twycross was appointed by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, as London’s first Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience in April 2018. She also used to work for the health charity Diabetes UK.

Earlier this month, the Betting and Gaming Council stated that it is committed to working with the new Labour government as the UK gambling market continues to undergo regulatory changes.

The post Labour names Baroness Fiona Twycross as DCMS Gambling Minister appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The trade body revealed that its initiative began as soon as the outcome of the Election was confirmed. Key to the plans and securing a strong future for growth of the sector was systematically mapping out members’ venues against their constituency MPs. 

Furthermore, the deep-dive into the political terrain of the UK will also include a sectoral perspective identifying those MPs who have been appointed to the relevant Select Committees.

Expanding on the initiative Bacta Executive Director George McGregor stated: “This is the first occasion in the two decades that I have worked with Bacta that we have systematically mapped MPs with Members. We have used the general election outcome to create a geopolitical footprint for the industry.

“It will be the central nervous system guiding our political engagement and is a much more efficient way of putting Bacta members in front of their constituency MPs in order to present the case for the industry, in particular the importance of getting the reforms recommended in the White Paper over the line.”

Reflecting on the new Labour Government, he confirmed: “Our position is one of partnership and collaboration. We believe that the industry is ideally placed to support the Government’s economic growth objectives both on the high street and at the coast as part of a broader tourism strategy. We are preparing for a relentless 12-months with political engagement at the very top of Bacta’s agenda.”

Bacta’s moves come alongside the appointment of a new cabinet to oversee the governance of the sector. The changes saw Lisa Nandy on becoming the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and pledged to work with her ministerial team, to grow the economy and drive up standards on safer gambling.

She is joined at DCMS by Stephanie Peacock MP, who has been appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at DCMS.
These appointments were also welcomed by the Betting and Gaming Council, as it looks to work closely with the cabinet to ensure a safe and thriving gambling sector.

Peacock has consistently been a firm supporter of Safer Gambling Week, having attended the BGC AGM this year where she gave a speech, and has also taken part in the BGC’s Grand National Charity Bet campaign, raising vital funds for a host of UK charities.

At the BGC’s AGM in February, Stephanie said: “Labour recognises that almost half of adults participate in some form of gambling, with the majority doing so safely and in moderation.

“From bingo to the races, many forms of gambling are rightly considered part of our British cultural tradition.

“Further to this, I know the success of the sector is vital for the economy more broadly, whether that’s betting shops, casinos, online betting and gaming or the companies that develop games.

“BGC members support over 110,000 jobs, generate billions in both GVA and taxes, and contribute to the success of many of our beloved sports through sponsorship and media rights deals.”

The BGC also underlined that it remains committed to delivering the evidence based, proportionate proposals contained in the White Paper, seeking to elevate standards while putting businesses on the right regulatory footing to drive economic growth.
Betting and Gaming Council Chair, Michael Dugher, said: “On behalf of our members, the 110,000 people whose jobs rely on the regulated betting and gaming industry, and the 22.5 million people who enjoy a bet each month, I am delighted to welcome Lisa Nandy to her new position as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

“She has hit the ground running and, on a personal note, can I welcome her particular support to ensure DCMS supports working class communities across the country. Betting has long been a part of working class culture for many people – from bingo halls to betting shops – and our mission to provide critical support for traditionally working class sports like rugby league, darts, snooker and lower league football is well known.

“I would also like to congratulate Steph Peacock on her new role as Minister for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society, who joins Lisa Nandy MP in DCMS.

“Steph already has a deep knowledge of our sector and sport, having been Shadow Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for over a year, and I look forward to continuing working together.

“Both Lisa and Steph bring a wealth of experience to their new roles, backed by Labour’s welcome commitment to work with the industry. I would like to assure them both, they will have the full support and backing of this sector as we work together to drive economic growth and continue raising standards on safer betting and gaming.

“From high streets to hospitality, from tourism to tech, our members generate £4.2bn in taxes for the Treasury and contribute £7.1bn to the wider economy. This is a sector ready to contribute to growth, jobs and investment in the economy.

“We are investing in virtually every constituency in the land, particularly in sport, where our members are providing vital financial backing, and we look forward to working with the new Ministers at DCMS to drive economic growth and investment.

“BGC members are currently in the midst of the biggest regulatory changes in a generation following the publication of the White Paper, which Labour backed, and much of this work carries on now the election has been completed.

“Work on the White Paper is backed by the industry’s own significant efforts to drive world-class standards and protections for the vulnerable, which has transformed the sector in recent years and stands in marked contrast to the dangers posed by the unsafe, unregulated black market online.”

The post UK gambling looks to strengthen ties to new government  appeared first on CasinoBeats.

It also increases the inevitability that she will become the new gambling minister, as the department awaits its brief for the next steps forward for gambling. 

There is widespread belief that the department will remain on course with plans to implement white paper changes that had previously been proposed. There is also hope for the changes to the land based sector which were widely lauded but had been shelved amidst plans for the general election. 

Off the back of the ‘uncertainty’ of the election, Neil Roarty, Head of Relations at ClickOut Media, emphasised that Peacock may well be the stable hand the industry needs. 

He said: “While general elections always throw up uncertainty, the new gambling minister, Stephanie Peacock, has already been invested in the industry as shadow minister for Sport, Gambling and Media for the past 10 months. She is unlikely to bring about a 180-degree change in direction just to ‘make her mark’. 

“However, it’s still a wait-and-see game, as both she and Lisa Nandy, secretary of state for DCMS, may have clear goals for the sector that don’t necessarily overlap with the work already undertaken by the previous party.

“One thing that’s interesting to note is that the last proper gambling legislation back in 2005 was introduced under a landslide-winning Labour government. That might play a factor, but either way, it seems likely that Peacock will see through some of the changes established in this year’s white paper with both parties keen on reform on public health grounds.” 

Leading the department is Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan, who has been appointed as Secretary of Culture, Media and Sport under the first senior cabinet of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Whilst Nandy brings a decorated CV to the role, her appointment was forced after shadow secretary Thangam Debbonaire lost her seat to Bristol West constituency to the Green Party.

Nandy succeeds former Conservative MP Lucy Frazer as DCMS state secretary, who was among the 250 Tory ministers to lose their constituencies.

MP for Wigan since 2010, Nandy is recognized as one of the Labour Party’s longest-serving ministers, who served under the premiership of PM Gordon Brown as an undersecretary of the Cabinet Office.

The post 180-degree change ‘unlikely’ as DCMS awaits gambling brief  appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The DCMS published the new regulations in response to a consultation regarding measures relating to the land-based gambling sector from the April 2023 gambling white paper.

After reviewing the consultation responses, the DCMS intends to increase the number of gaming machines allowed at certain land-based casinos to 80 and more than 20 for smaller casinos; allow a 2:1 ratio of Category B to Category C and D gaming machines in arcades and bingo halls; allow direct debit card payments on gaming machines; introduce an age limit of 18 and over for the use of ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style gaming machines; and increase the maximum chargeable premises licence fees.

The next step for these regulations will be for them to be presented before Parliament.

BGC – ‘much needed reforms’

In response to the DCMS’ proposals, BGC CEO Michael Dugher said that the council welcomes the changes, stating that cashless payments, additional gaming machines and sports betting inside casinos will help the industry meet the needs of customers.

Dugher noted: “Casinos are a vital pillar of the UK’s leisure, hospitality and tourism sector and we welcome the Government’s consultation response which is positive progress on the modest, long-overdue but mission critical modernisation reforms needed for the land-based casino sector to compete and thrive.

“Casinos currently employ more than 10,000 people, contribute £300m annually in tax and generate an estimated £800m a year to the UK economy.

“Much needed reforms on cashless payments, gaming machine allocations and allowing all casinos to offer sports betting will strengthen the sector to better meet the needs and expectations of their customers.”

Rank – ‘modernisations cannot come a moment too soon’

Rank Group also expressed its approval of the proposals, with CEO John O’Reilly noting that the modernisations will help its venues.

He stated: “Today’s Government response to the land-based consultation is good news for Rank. Providing the legislation is on the statute books by recess in late July, we are looking forward to improving the customer proposition in our venues with a roadmap of investments and improvements in the months and years that follow. 

“The legislative modernisations cannot come a moment too soon, so we are pleased with the progress contained in today’s announcement.”

Dugher has also requested for the government to provide guidance on when these new regulations will come into effect for the land-based gambling industry.

The BGC CEO said: “While we welcome these proposals, attention must now shift to the timeline for implementing policy changes and we urge the Government to urgently set out a clear timeline for progressing the relevant legislation to make them reality for our members.

“Too many casinos have sadly closed in recent years as successive administrations failed to deliver the changes we needed to protect jobs and growth. The BGC and our fantastic casino members have campaigned for these new measures for years to allow businesses to modernise, innovate and grow, and we strongly welcome the Government’s approach to ensure casinos are better placed to make that happen.”

Bacta – cashless play by 2025

Bacta also welcomed the DCMS proposals, with President John Bollom noting that the organisation will work with the UK Gambling Commission to introduce cashless play for next year.

Bollom stated: “This is a good day. The Minister is to be congratulated for creating the conditions which will allow the land-based sector to go forward. The progress achieved is a testament to the hard work of Bacta and our members in making the case for reform. 

“I would like to thank all the Bacta members who have helped in this campaign which has taken four years. 

“We hope that Parliament will give a smooth passage to these proposals, so they are passed into law before the General Election. Bacta will actively engage with Gambling Commission officials to ensure the introduction of cashless play in 2025.”

The post BGC, Rank and Bacta welcome DCMS proposals for land-based gambling appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Following analysis of the evidence submitted, the DCMS intends to increase the number of gaming machines allowed at certain land-based casinos to 80 and more than 20 for smaller casinos; allow a 2:1 ratio of Category B to Category C and D gaming machines in arcades and bingo halls; allow direct debit card payments on gaming machines; introduce an age limit of 18 and over for the use of ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style gaming machines; and increase the maximum chargeable premises licence fees.

DCMS conducted a public consultation on the measures relating to the land-based gambling sector from the gambling white paper from July 26, 2023, to October 4, 2023. The consultation was conducted to determine what changes are needed for the land-based sector in response to the growth of online gambling. 

In total, 87 responses were received from a variety of stakeholders, including researchers, adult gaming centre operators, bingo operators, campaign organisations, casino operators, individuals, local authorities, pub representatives and responses from the wider gambling industry.

16 additional responses were also received for a supplementary consultation to gather further evidence on the reform of the 80/20 rule.

Some gambling industry participants included 888 William Hill, BACTA, Betfred, Betting and Gaming Council, Buzz Group, Entain, GambleAware, Gambling with Lives, GamCare, Genting Casinos UK, Hippodrome Casino, Merkur Bingo & Casino Entertainment UK, Merkur Slots, Rank Group and Wexel Gaming.

Regarding casino measures, the DCMS has stated that it will allow “1968 Act casinos to increase the number of their gaming machines to 80 if they meet the size requirements of a Small 2005 Act casino”.

The government will also allow smaller 1968 Act casinos to have “more than 20 machines, on a pro-rata basis commensurate to their size”, while betting will also be permitted in all casinos.

For machines in arcades and bingo halls, DCMS has said it will allow a “2:1 ratio of Category B to Category C and D gaming machines” to be implemented on a device-type basis. 

This means “two Category B gaming machines on a cabinet device type can be made available to a minimum of one Category C or D gaming machine on a cabinet device type” and the same applies to in-fills and tablets.

Regarding cashless payments on gaming machines, the DCMS will “allow direct debit card payments to be made on gaming machines, subject to the player protection measures”, including account verification for each transaction and a £100 transaction limit.

Additionally, the government stated that the UK Gambling Commission will “consult on a number of player protection measures that may be included in their Gaming Machine Technical Standards to ensure that appropriate frictions are in place when direct debit card payments are used”.

As for the 18 age limit for ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines, the DCMS has stated that it will ensure it is enforced by making it “a criminal offence to invite, cause or permit someone under the age of 18 to use these machines”.

It is also proposing that the industry “fund, conduct, and, crucially, report on the outcomes of voluntary test purchasing to DCMS”, while it will work with relevant trade bodies and operators “to understand the feasibility of this proposal and the frequency of any reporting to DCMS”.

As for licensing authority fees, the DCMS has said that maximum premises licence fees which can be charged by local authorities will be increased to 15 per cent, enabling licensing authorities to “fund their enforcement and administrative gambling duties on a cost recovery basis”.

The next step for these regulations will be for them to be presented before Parliament.

The post DCMS to allow up to 80 gaming machines at certain casinos appeared first on CasinoBeats.