Bacta has confirmed Declan Johnson as its new Public Affairs Advisor, as it continues to strengthen connections with the UK government.
Johnson joins Bacta with an MSc in Policy and Politics from Birkbeck University and will report directly to George McGregor, Executive Director of Government Relations at Bacta.
McGregor stated on his new role: “Following July’s General Election not only do we have a new Government but over 50% of all elected MPs are new to the House of Commons.
“We operate in a highly regulated sector and it is imperative that we have a progressive dialogue with all political stakeholders and establish effective representation at the heart of government.
“Declan, whose background includes terms working in Political Communications and mainstream Public Relations will be part of the team ensuring that Bacta’s voice is heard in all of the key debates impacting developments at the seaside and on the high street.
“He will be helping Bacta to achieve its political objectives which include the earliest possible implementation of the reforms recommended in the White Paper, a review of maximum stake and prize levels and the introduction of modern payment methods on low-stake low prize gambling entertainment machines.”
The UK is in the midst of regulatory change when it comes to the land based gambling sector, prior to the recent General Election the group urged members to strengthen engagement with their local Parliamentary Candidates in order to ensure they “finish the job of modernising the country’s gambling regulations”.
Jeremy Godden, Managing Director of the Godden Gaming Organisation emphasised at the time: “We need to ensure that all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates understand why the changes proposed in the white paper are crucial to the long term sustainability of the UK’s family entertainment centres and adult gaming centres.
“We want amusement arcades to be top of the political agenda given their importance within the tourism offering at our seaside resorts.”
Providing broader context to the issues he will be presenting to his prospective Labour Party MP, Polly Billington, he said: “My core message is that we are in a ‘cost of doing business crisis’ and we need to finish the job of the white paper.
“I cannot stress how important the next three weeks are: we must take the opportunity to lobby candidates before they are elected to Parliament in order to ensure our sector is firmly on the political agenda.”
