Over 90 percent of Bacta members believe government doesn’t understand the sector

The latest findings of the Bacta Pulse survey reveal what the overwhelming majority of members believe to be a dislocation between the land-based industry and government.

The view that politicians and policy makers are ignorant of the day-to-day issues and challenges the industry face was put into sharp relief with more than nine out of ten (92 percent) stating that in their opinion government does not fully understand the land-based sector. The remaining respondents were split equally, with 4 percent saying they were unsure and 4 percent stating that the government was in fact in tune with the dynamics of the business.

The most emphatic response to the five questions contained in the second Pulse Survey demonstrates the degree to which members are feeling the pressure and duress caused by the costs associated with running a business. 96 percent of respondents agree that the sector has reached the limit of what it can absorb in terms of overheads with just 4 percent saying they were unsure.

Uncertainty, frequently cited as the number one enemy of the commercial world, is certainly having a negative impact on Bacta members working throughout the industry supply chain. In economic theory doubts regarding the direction of government policy make planning risky impacting hiring and generally slowing economic growth. An overwhelming 92 percent of respondents said that uncertainty regarding policy had delayed their investment decisions in the last 12-months with a minority 8 percent saying that it hadn’t impacted their business.

Asked to identify the single reform that would matter most to their business, respondents were divided in their views. Top of the pile was a freeze/reduction of MGD (33 percent of respondents), followed by reform of the 80/20 rule, which was named by 29 percent, reform of business rates (21 percent) and an increase in Category C stake and prize limits (17 percent).

An increase in Cat D stake and prize and a reduction in regulatory costs and Gambling Commission fees weren’t cited by any respondents as the reform of most significance.

A widely held view is that MPs and policy makers are at best cautious about being seen to support the sector due to an alleged poor public perception. Asked whether they felt that its reputation is changing 43 percent – the single biggest segment - said that it was improving with 35 percent disagreeing and just over 1 in 5 respondents (22 percent) unsure.

Reflecting on this most recent set of findings, Bacta President Joseph Cullis said: “We are swiftly building a really valuable picture of the challenges impacting Bacta members - a picture that we are able to communicate as part of our engagement programme with regulators and policy makers.

“The view that government doesn’t understand the land-based sector serves as a powerful argument in favour of getting more MPs through the doors of Bacta businesses. This is something that we are actively encouraging and can assist members to organise. The fact is that every MP who has visited a Bacta member business has left better informed and rightfully impressed by what he/she has experienced in particular the industry’s commitment to player protection and responsible gaming.

“The strong consensus that businesses have reached their cost limits reflects the mounting financial pressures exacerbated by inflationary pressures and regulatory burdens. Crucially, widespread uncertainty over government policy is delaying investment decisions and undermining the industry’s ability to contribute to the government’s own growth agenda.

“These are all key arguments that will help inform the Bacta Agenda and which we will reference in all of our meetings with government as we lobby for the confidence-building reforms that will release the handbrake on investment.”

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19 March 2026

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