With Adult Gaming Centres (AGC’s) currently under the spotlight, Better Change took an in-depth look into AGC’s to find out what has driven their rise in popularity.

The government has taken the decision to suspend current plans to relax the 80/20 split for higher stakes B3 machines that allows an operator to populate 20% of their machine stock with the popular £500 jackpot/£2 max stake terminals. This is despite the recent gambling act white paper eluding to a “levelling up” of offline venues so that they are competitive with online products, citing a concern that not enough is being done in these venues to protect vulnerable people.

We looked at recent surveys and statistics as well as speaking with AGC staff and customers to find out if this concern is justified or if it is yet another example of preventing gambling as a lazy approach to preventing harm.

In a letter sent to the DCMS secretary of state, Better Change expressed its concerns around the implementation of the gambling levy which promises to raise over £100million each year to fund the research, Prevention and Treatment of gambling harm.

Despite the levy coming into effect on the 6th April 2025 there has yet to be an indication of how organisations can access levy funding or what the plan for this significant raise in funding is.

This lack of governance along with a perceived prejudice against organisations who previously benefitted from the former voluntary funding scheme is causing great uncertainty amongst established service providers which runs the risk of disrupting services for many people who rely on these services for support.

You can read our letter that was submitted to DCMS on the 7th April along with our governance proposal in the attached PDF.

There may be no getting away from responsible gaming in the modern landscape, but Habanero, Better Change and Mind Al are among those in fact embracing player protection strategies.

BMM Innovation Group (BIG) company RG24seven Virtual Training has appointed Better Change CEO Victoria Reed as a Strategic Advisor to help expand operations and social impact across the global gambling industry. 

Partners RG24seven and Better Change on the launch of their new UK safer gambling training courses.

RG24seven Virtual Training, a BMM Innovation Group company, and Better Change, Positive Play advocates, today announced the launch of FREE Safer Gambling training for UK employees. This partnership represents a commitment by both organisations to bring a new, innovative approach to Safer Gambling training for everyone working in the UK market.

As part of our commitment to safer gambling, here you can find insight from Better Change on how problem gambling affects others.

Better Change’s Engagement Director, Rob Mabbett, considers the implications of blanket restrictions if we take the stance that gamblinIg is a public health issue.

Victoria Reed learned of her nomination at a critical time for organisations such as hers – during Safer Gambling Week. 

Two major institutions from the world of online gambling have come together to ensure that enjoying a bet on a favourite sport, a game of bingo or a spin of a slot can continue to be a safe, positive entertainment-based wagering experience.