The final stages of bacta’s restructure programme will be completed this month with members of both the Gaming Council and the Amusement Council nominating candidates to go forward to bacta’s new National Council. Three members with the highest number of votes from each Council will join National President John Bollom, Vice-President Joseph Cullis, and past Presidents Nick Harding, Greg Wood and James Miller on the 11-person body. The outcome of the postal vote will be announced next Thursday, 7 September with the first meeting of the new National Council taking place 21 September.

Bacta CEO John White is confident that the new structure will enhance the trade association’s ability to represent its members operating in the dynamic leisure entertainment sector. He stated: “The new bacta has been created in order to be agile, progressive and inclusive. The battle for the leisure pound has never been more intense. Bacta members face a huge number of challenges both commercial and regulatory – heightening the importance of being able to deliver effective representation with a myriad of bodies not least MPs, Councillors and local authorities.

“The consultations which are on-going with government following the publication of the White Paper on gambling reform have demonstrated how important it is to have a trade association which represents and speaks for the industry. The ability to present evidence derived from research conducted amongst bacta members and the opportunity to host the Minister at two modern and ultra-professional high street AGCs such as Luxury Leisure and MERKUR Slots are invaluable.

“By removing layers of bureaucracy and attracting a new younger demographic it’s clear that bacta will be better equipped to address the challenges and take full advantage of the opportunities which lay ahead.”