Bacta Hits Back at Brent Council’s ‘Misguided’ Gambling Claims

Bacta has come out strongly against a recent initiative led by Brent Council calling for enhanced powers for local authorities to block gambling venues, which the trade association says is based on outdated and misleading arguments.

The London borough is spearheading a move to revise the ‘Aim to Permit’ principle enshrined in the Gambling Act 2005, with a letter sent to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urging a shift in national policy. Brent’s letter cites concerns around the presence of Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) and implies that councils should have more discretion in rejecting applications for such venues.

But Bacta CEO John Bollom has taken swift action to counter what the association describes as “baseless accusations.” In a formal response to the Culture Secretary, Bollom sets out the facts about the modern low-stake gaming sector and challenges the negative narrative promoted by Brent Council.

“A lot of the arguments being made are erroneously out of date – some even mention FOBTs, which are irrelevant to AGCs and have been removed from high street venues for years,” said Bollom. “Others are simply baseless and reflect a deep misunderstanding of the work our members do and the safe, controlled environments they provide.”

Bacta’s response underscores the importance of fairness in policymaking and highlights the significant regulatory framework that already governs AGCs. The association also reaffirmed its commitment to high standards of social responsibility and player protection.

A copy of Bacta’s letter to Lisa Nandy has been circulated to members and is available upon request. The association encourages operators to remain vigilant and proactive in engaging with local authorities to ensure the industry is properly represented.

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17 April 2025

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