Bacta is working alongside policy advisors at DCMS to provide ‘at the coal face’ style evidence of the likely impact of key recommendations contained in the Government’s White Paper published in April.
Based on the imperative to feed the latest business data into the consultation process bacta has embarked on a research programme with non-attributable surveys on the proposed 50/50 rule going to members of Division 3 and a second questionnaire on the impact of a mandatory levy being sent to all members.
In his communication concerning the 50/50 rule John White outlined the current state of play, emphasising the importance of being able to present a strong evidence base. He confirmed: “We are already deep in conversation with the DCMS over the shape and content of a number of the consultations that will appear over the Summer. We are hopeful one of the early ones will be on the move from an 80/20 Rule for the calculation of the number of B3s you can site, to a 50/50 one. “
In an initiative to ascertain what would happen to the machine estate in AGCs if 80/20 was replaced by a 50/50 ratio the questionnaire presents different scenarios all of which require a simple Yes/No response. Bacta has confirmed that all information supplied will be treated as confidential and will only be used to compile aggregate industry data.
Possible responses to the introduction of a 50/50 ratio include how it would impact the number of B3, Cat C, Cat D, Tablets and Infills in the market.
The second questionnaire which is being sent to all bacta members focusses on the impact of a mandatory levy to replace the current voluntary RET contributions which have been well supported by the industry. “The White Paper sets out a proposal to replace the voluntary system recommended at 0.1 percent of GGY to a mandatory one” states White. “The Secretary of State confirmed the vastly different circumstances faced by the land-based and online sectors of the industry with land-based low stake gambling entertainment operators playing a key role in the communities they serve at the same time as facing much higher and rapidly increasing business costs driven by record wage and energy inflation. The bacta survey asks members to identify the impact they believe a mandatory levy would have on the viability of their business if set at 0.1 percent of GGY, 0.2 percent, 0.5 percent or 1 percent.”
He added: “Evidence-based data will be of immense benefit in the consultation process and will propel bacta’s arguments for a regulatory framework which provides opportunities for the industry to be competitive at the same time as upholding the highest standards of social responsibility, standards which it should be noted have made a significant contribution to the UK’s record low levels of problem gambling as calculated by the Gambling Commission and the NHS, with the latter piece of research conducted by the hugely respected Office for National Statistics (ONS).”
“I urge bacta members to take a few minutes to complete the surveys and return them at the earliest opportunity. I must stress that none of the information supplied is attributable.”