Opposition to Proposed Levy and PM Remarks
UK amusement and land-based gaming trade association Bacta has firmly committed to opposing any attempt by Prime Minister Andy Burnham to use Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) as a funding source for business rate relief. The PM’s “Burnham means business” initiative aims to introduce a 20% business rate relief for pubs, clubs, and live music venues starting in April 2027, with funding partially sourced from vape shops.
Although AGCs were not formally listed in the plan, Prime Minister Burnham named the sector outright during media remarks last week, characterizing them alongside vape shops as “socially harmful” and hinting they could serve as an additional revenue stream.
Bacta Defends the AGC Sector and Operational Standards
Allaster Gair, Director of Communications at Bacta, asserted that penalizing AGCs would be arbitrary and economically damaging, particularly for family-owned and independent operators.
Gair stated:
“Pubs, clubs and music venues deserve support, but that support should not be funded by imposing further costs on another lawful, licensed and heavily taxed sector. AGCs already pay Machine Games Duty, irrecoverable VAT, business rates, statutory levy contributions and substantial compliance costs.”
Furthermore, Gair challenged the characterization of AGCs as anti-social establishments, highlighting their strict regulatory compliance under both local authorities and the Gambling Commission. He noted that AGCs are adult-only, alcohol-free venues operating under rigorous age verification, self-exclusion, and safer gambling protocols.
Concluding his remarks, Gair pointed out that the government’s own statutory levy places AGC Gross Gaming Yield contributions at just 0.2%, lower than casinos, betting shops, and online providers, and invited authorities to publish evidence supporting any claims of societal harm.
