Universal Approval For Inaugural bacta SR Exchange

Bacta’s first SR exchange has closed with positive feedback from all groups of participants.

As hoped, many of the attending operators encouraged their front-line staff to attend, resulting in a packed venue and some very topical discourse. The event was totally inclusive, attracting regulators, operators and their staff, leaders of gambling related charities and those involved in the treatment of those with gambling problems. The day commenced with a Keynote Address by GambleAware Chief Executive Mark Etches, followed by a Welcoming Address from Simon Bradbury, bacta’s Head of Social Responsibility and Compliance. EUROMAT President Jason Frost followed with an update on the industry’s response to the RGSB strategy. Bacta’s John White then moderated at a panel discussion on improving the journey for the problem or at-risk customer, with contributions from Lee Willows of YGAM, Anna Hemmings of GamCare, the Gambling Commission’s Helen Rhodes and Justin Prescott of Silcocks Leisure. The afternoon was give over to workshop sessions, facilited by GambleAware’s Iain Corby, Neil Platt of Beacon Counselling Trust, Addiction Recovery Agency’s Graham England, Becky Rowe from Revealing Reality, Professor David Parsons of P&A Research and Consulting, Praesepe’s Byron Evans and Training and Safeguarding Consultant Steve Eccleston. The bacta compliance team also played a major role, with the individual Regional Compliance Officers also acting as facilitators. SJ Development’s Steve Ecclestone was Facilitator for the workshop focused on helping and safeguarding vulnerable groups and was impressed by the level of enthusiasm, saying, “The session went well with lively contributions on key points. There was clearly a lot of knowledge around Compliance and the risks to young people from gambling. It does appear, however, that we may need to also consider the broader safeguarding risks in respect of children and vulnerable people who may be encountered within the premises,” advised Steve. One of the many operators in attendance was Nigel Botelho of Lucky Star Amusements, with operations in Kent and Essex: “I had a very interesting day and gained a good insight into where our industry is heading. I learned a lot from some of the larger operators involved in the workshops,” revealed Nigel. Thanking all participants for their role in inaugural SR Exchange, bacta Chief Executive John White commented: “Bacta’s first Social Responsibility Exchange was a great success with universal approval for the event demonstrating not only the amusement machine sector’s commitment to SR, but its willingness to embrace new ideas about how to augment the player protections we already have in place. “My thanks goes to all of those who attended and especially to our guest speakers and facilitators who delivered an event that has initiated a step change in our thinking on SR.  We now have an extended agenda of work to accomplish before our second event next year.  We also hope to hold similar events in the Regions so members and their staff located in all corners of Britain can benefit from the exchange concept,” revealed John. With a potent mixture of professional expertise, real world experience and sharp-end focus, the bacta SR Exchange has certainly hit upon a winning formula. Anyone attending the SR Exchange couldn’t fail to be impressed by the seriousness of operators and their genuine determination to prevent gambling related harm.