bacta Pulse Shows Industry Gloom Says Gair

Bacta Director of Communications, Allaster Gair: “The latest Pulse Survey shows an industry genuinely concerned about rising costs and the lack of progress on positive reforms”

Over 60% of respondents to the latest Bacta Pulse sentiment survey said they were pessimistic about the long-term future of the sector. Are you surprised, and how does this help in your conversations with government regarding the delay in implementing the White Paper reforms?

“It’s not surprising, and it reflects exactly what we are hearing from members.

We were in Manchester last week for our North West regional meeting, and the same message is coming through consistently across the country. Members are genuinely worried about the long-term viability of this sector without support.

A big part of that is the lack of progress on positive reforms, alongside a steady pipeline of additional pressures. That imbalance is what is driving concern.

For us, the Pulse data reinforces that message. It gives us further evidence from operators on the ground, which we can take directly into conversations with government to underline that this is about the need for stability and confidence in the sector’s future.”

Nine out of 10 respondents referenced an increase in compliance costs over the last 12-months, is that the price that has to be paid to remain compliant or is it a hefty cost which should be explored for efficiencies?

“Compliance is fundamental, and Bacta members take it incredibly seriously. You cannot run a successful business in this sector without it.

If it was simply the price of compliance on its own, that would be one thing. The challenge is that it is coming on top of rising costs across every part of the business.

The Pulse survey shows how widespread that pressure is, with the vast majority of operators reporting increased compliance costs . At the same time, April has brought further increases in core operating costs, and businesses are also looking ahead to potential rises in Gambling Commission fees following the recent consultation.

So it is the cumulative impact that matters. The focus should be on maintaining high standards, but doing so in a way that is proportionate and sustainable for operators.”

95% of Bacta members said they would support greater use of technology in age verification with a slightly lower percentage (90%) supporting a sector-wide adoption of facial recognition for self-exclusion. Does this signal the direction of travel in terms of player protection, are you encouraged by what you’ve seen in terms of the available technology and do you have any concerns regarding the antipathy towards facial recognition from civil liberties groups and some backbench Labour MPs?

“It shows a sector that is actively looking to strengthen player protection.

The Pulse data is clear, with strong support for greater use of technology in both age verification and self-exclusion . That aligns with the direction of travel from government and the Gambling Commission.

On facial recognition specifically, it is important to be clear that this is not a silver bullet. It is one tool in a wider toolkit, alongside trained staff, robust player protection processes, and other safeguards.

We recognise there are sensitivities, particularly around privacy. But used in a targeted and proportionate way, for example to support individuals who have chosen to self-exclude, it can be a valuable addition. The key is getting that balance right.”

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7 May 2026

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