DCMS Minister visits Game Nation

6th September 2021 – PRESS RELEASE

 

Minister of State for Digital and Culture, Caroline Dinenage MP visited the Game Nation High Street Gaming Centre in Gosport last week.

 

The visit was part of bacta’s campaign to help MPs better understand the work of AGCs and their role on the high street. Game Nation Regional Director, Neil Finch, who met with Ms Dinenage, said, “Caroline openly admitted that she knew little of how Adult Gaming Centres operate and what a vital part they play in the local economy. She very much wanted to know more and I was able to give a good overview of the sector and also explain how frustrating it had been during lockdown, trying to get the government to recognise AGCs as part of the retail offer on the high street.”

Neil also showed the Minister the company’s social responsibility measures and demonstrated how important it was to have player protection schemes in place for the customers.

“Caroline was also very interested to discover that we are still very much a cash business in an ever-increasing cashless society,” adds Neil. “She fully understood the need for alternative payment methods as customers are showing increased frustration at the lack of available ATMs within high street locations.”

Neil was impressed that the Minister took time to chat to Danielle the venue manager and some of the customers, wishing them the best of luck as she left.

“Visits such as these by MPs, particularly a Minister of State, are incredibly valuable to our industry,” adds John White, bacta CEO. “We would like to thank her as well as Neil for doing such a great job in explaining the challenges facing the High Street Gaming Centre. Every MP visit helps immeasurably.”

 

ENDS

Image: Neil Finch and Caroline Dinenage MP

 

About Bacta

Bacta represents the owners and operators of over-18 amusement centres (AGCs), seaside amusement arcades, and the companies that hire machines to pubs, clubs, bowling alleys, bingo halls and similar venues.  It also represents the manufacturers and distributors of all types of gaming machines and amusement equipment ranging from children’s rides, to jukeboxes, fruit machines in pubs and clubs, redemption machines, crane grabbers, penny falls, tuppeny nudgers, test your strength machines, videos, and pool tables.

 

www.bacta.org.uk

 

Kind regards,
Steph Norbury – Managing Director, Upgrade PR Ltd. 
Contact General inquiries: +44 (0) 7887 928819
Email inquiries: steph@upgradepr.com