Bacta has highlighted the “existential threat” of proposed changes to the gaming machine technical standards (GMTS), urging the industry to meet to discuss the issue.
The trade body for British arcades and amusement centres issued a call to arms, encouraging members “in the strongest possible terms” to increase discussions and collaboration as an industry.
The recommended changes, part of the Gambling Review’s White Paper recommendations, include the introduction of “five new standards, a licence condition, and a social responsibility code provision designed to support and empower consumers to use gaming machines safely at every stage of the customer journey”.
Further safeguards include proposals on time and monetary limit-setting functionality, as well as information provisions such as safer gambling messaging and the display of net position and session time.
The Commission has been recommended to consolidate the existing 12 gaming machine technical standards into a single standard while amending the format to be more consistent with the Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards for greater clarity.
Currently, 12 individual standards cover machines across A, B1, B2, B3, B3A, B4, C and D.
In a statement, Bacta’s Vice President, Joseph Cullis, slammed the proposals, highlighting the potential economic impact of consolidating the various standards.
He said: “The Gambling Commission proposal that would require every Category B gaming machine to adhere to new technical standards irrespective of the age of the machine or its ability to receive software updates is likely to result in many units being junked with operators facing a huge bill to acquire replacements.
“The research that we have undertaken confirms that the huge spike in costs would put some operators out of business with disastrous consequences for employees as well as for local economies based at both the seaside and on the high street.”
Cullis added that Bacta has enlisted economic consultants to quantify the overall cost to the industry, and the webinar will be an opportunity for the body to share the evidence that it has gathered.
Previously, Tim Miller, Executive Director for Research and Policy at the Gambling Commission, acknowledged that the regulatory changes would “come with considerable costs”. He also encouraged consumers, gambling businesses and other interested groups to share evidence to assist the commission in measuring the likely regulatory impact and economic cost of the proposed changes.
The group is hosting a webinar on 21 May, which it has urged the industry to attend, as we stand on the precipice of monumental regulatory change for the sector.
The webinar will feature contributions from leading industry figures such as Tony Boulton, Alan Claypole, John Bollom, Joseph Cullis and George McGregor, and will include advice to members on how to respond to the UK Gambling Commission’s consultation on GMTS reform, the deadline of which has been extended to 3 June.
