Bacta is the industry body that represents the amusement and low stake gaming machine industry in the UK. Its membership comprises 500 companies which operate, manufacture and distribute the 310,000 machines found in Britain’s seaside arcades, adult gaming centres, pubs, clubs and bingo halls.
"We are determined to fulfil our obligations to do all we can to prevent problem gambling. Our Social Responsibility Charter sets out a clear set of tools to help our members do this, and we will continue to invest in the training, education and verification required to ensure gambling across amusement and gaming machine venues remains as safe as possible."
Responsible Gambling Commitments
Social Responsibility Charter and Training
Since its foundation in 1974, social responsibility has been at the heart of Bacta's agenda - an ethos exemplified by several responsible gambling commitments and initiatives undertaken by the body.
Augmenting the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) Social Responsibility Code, all Bacta members adhere to the Bacta Social Responsibility Charter. Employees are regularly trained and made aware of responsible gambling obligations and are at the front line in minimising the risk of gambling related harm.
Bacta has a dedicated Social Responsibility and Compliance team, who also conduct audits of members.
Promoting Gambling Research, Education and Treatment
Bacta members make financial contributions to promote the research, education and treatment of gambling. Working closely with Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) and GamCare, Bacta has also developed high level training to industry leading standards.
Excluding Young People from Adult-Only Premises
All Bacta members operating age-controlled venues are required to undertake age verification tests to ensure under-18s are prevented from accessing premises from which they are prohibited. This is tested at least once a year by Bacta's dedicated compliance team. A rigorous 'Challenge 25' policy is enforced.
Self-Exclusion
Bacta operates a self-exclusion scheme on behalf of its members. Self-exclusion has proved to be an easy and effective way for gamblers to take steps to minimise their gambling exposure should they wish to do so.
In addition to their Social Responsibility Charter, Bacta has taken a number of recent further measures to promote responsible gambling within the amusement and gaming machine industry.
Bacta has partnered with GamCare, to deliver customer care and support to people experiencing negative impacts from their own gambling, or someone else’s through the National Gambling Helpline. The Helpline Team are trained to manage transferred calls and will be able to provide specialist advice, signposting and support, as well as refer people to appropriate treatment services.
Bacta runs an annual Social Responsibility Exchange - an educational initiative targeted at owners, managers and especially customer facing staff at Bacta members’ businesses. Members are encouraged to share their experiences and learn from their peers on important subjects, such as self-exclusion, dealing with vulnerable customers and age verification.
Bacta has also established an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service for customers and land-based traders in dispute about the outcome of a gambling transaction.