White’s Week 21.04.17

Dear Members,

 

The General Election and the Triennial Review

 

The announcement on Tuesday of a General Election on June 8th caught everyone by surprise.  Our immediate thought was what were the implications for the Government’s review of stakes and prizes?  An announcement was expected in May with the launch of a consultation document that would have given us the clearest view yet of what Government thought of our proposals for stake and prize increases and crucially the maximum stake on B2s.  That announcement will not now happen.

 

That does not mean the review is dead.  We are currently entertaining all the options that might arise on 8th of June and planning accordingly and our lobbying will not cease.  I am loathe to make predictions in this increasingly unpredictable political landscape but my best bet is that the Conservatives are returned with a majority, perhaps smaller than opinion polls suggest at the moment.  There will be some small changes in Cabinet and Ministerial posts and then it will be back to normal but with a strengthened Theresa May.  For us any changes at DCMS will likely delay the consultation announcement until the Autumn.  We will of course push for it sooner and if Tracy Crouch is reappointed Gambling Minister that is a possibility.  I will continue to advise members if things arise which alter that assessment.

 

What we really need you to do is keep up the momentum of the work we have done so far, and to use the opportunity of the election to continue or renew dialogue with prospective parliamentary candidates.  Can we urge you to write or preferably go and see candidates, many of whom will be re-elected come what may, to explain our position on the review and to seek their support where it hasn’t been previously given.  We will be writing to you again over the course of the campaign with material you can use to explain the position. Go to candidate hustings and invite them to your premises.  It is all grist to the mill and prospective MPs are very alive to what people say.  If you need us to help please pick up the phone.   

 

The £1 coin

 

Another issue mentioned last time, and which featured prominently in Coinslot this week, was the problem members were having with the new £1 coin.  Please do send me evidence of the problems you are having.  I have already written forcibly to the Royal Mint and asked that withdrawal of the old £1 coin is delayed until we can get to the bottom of why rejection rates for the new coin are so high on parallel mechs.

 

Easter

 

Hopefully the fine Easter weather will have helped improve the mood, particularly of those operators at the seaside, where I am hearing it has been a great Easter holiday this year.  With all the blows, costs and policy delays the industry has suffered over recent years it is nice to have something positive to talk about.

 

Local Risk Assessments –  operators take note

 

We have this week received a letter from the Gambling Commission about the failure of many establishments they have inspected to understand their obligations under the LCCP in respect of local risk assessments.  They found that often the risk assessment was held at the Head Office and not at the site to which it should relate.  Staff there were often ignorant of the contents of, or indeed requirement for, a local risk assessment.  Smaller operators whilst more likely to have the risk assessment to hand were simply adopting the bacta template.  This is meant as a guide for members to complete with their own localities in mind when assessing local risks to the licensing objectives.  One positive from the exercise was that non -bacta members were much more likely to fall foul of the LCCP requirement.

 

AV testing in pubs

 

Can I remind Division 2 operators and pubco members that Age Verification testing is being undertaken in pubs. It is important pub customers are aware of their obligations.  If anyone wants to discuss this further please contact bacta’s Head of Compliance, Phil Silver.

 

Phil Silver

 

Talking of Phil, members will be disappointed to learn that Phil has signalled his intention to retire from bacta on 23rd November, the date of bacta’s Convention this year.  I am sure you will want to come along on the 23rd to pay tribute to a man who has, and continues to devote incredible energy and diligence to the service of our sector.  Phil has been shortlisted for the Senior Compliance Officer of the Year Award at next week’s Gambling Compliance Awards dinner.  It would be a fitting tribute if he won.

 

Regional Meetings

 

Agendas for the May/June round of Regional Meetings will be sent out shortly.  If anyone wants anything on the agenda please let me or your Regional Chair know asap.  There is a lot to discuss and I would appreciate member’s views, not least on ways in which we can reform our Regional meetings!

 

Tickets2Wishes

 

Can I ask members in Division 1 (and I know you are busy), to keep an eye out for an email from Parveen next week about Tickets2wishes. This is a brilliant idea pioneered by James Miller of Fun Station, and your new Vice-President.  I mentioned it in my last WW and it consists of you ordering from us a tube and promotional material that encourages your customers to donate unwanted redemption tickets to Rays of Sunshine.  You pay over the cash equivalent (which you can match if you like) to the Bacta Charitable Trust; the BCT adds it all together and hopefully gives a big fat cheque to Rays at the end of the season.

 

I am always at the end of the phone should you wish to speak with me.

 

Kind regards

 

John White

Chief Executive