Many UK operators will echo the sentiments of Joseph Cullis, the Scottish operator who is destined to take over the presidency of Bacta when John Bollom’s period in the hot seat ends next year.
His Windmill Leisure FEC at Saltcoats on the Ayrshire coast faces squeezed margins through factors beyond direct solution such as energy costs and the 9.8 per cent increase in the national minimum wage, plus inflationary pressures.
Cullis said: “There has been much made in the media about the cost of living crisis,” he said, “but there is also a ‘cost of doing business’ crisis as well.”
He added: “Now we have a reform of gambling to contend with, even though it has – for the moment – been overtaken by a snap general election that will postpone it temporarily. Through the trade association, the industry will continue to lobby tirelessly to see any incoming government follow through on the proposals that currently have cross-party support.”
Cullis and his family have both FEC and AGC interests. Joseph and his wife, Suzanne have a venue with both genres of operation in Saltcoats, plus an AGC in Dumfries trading under Norona Amusements.
The couple run the day-to-day operations with the help of around 20 staff. Their business was established in the early 1960s by Joseph’s great-grandfather Jack Cullis, under the Cullis Amusements name. That business is still in operation, headed by Joseph’s younger brother John Craig in the seaside town of Largs.
“We have always been well supported locally,” said Cullis. “About 70 per cent of our customer base is local, with the rest tourists. I have always made a conscious effort to support our local community through sponsorship of children’s sports clubs or contributing to local projects. I believe firmly in earning our local support by contributing to the welfare of the community.”
Their FEC operates on ticket-in, the redemption equipment with card facilities enabling TITO in the AGCs.
Reverting back to the issues facing the industry if the current white paper proposals come to fruition, Cullis said: “It was going to become illegal to invite, cause or permit an under-18 to play Category D slot-style machines that pay out cash. That would have brought Bacta’s Cat D sticker initiative into legislation. When – and if – that happens, I plan to continue with my current set-up of having all of those machines housed in the same area, in direct line of sight of my cash desk and with prominent signage displayed on and around the machines. I think it is vital for seaside operators to continue to be able to operate those machines in FECs.”
The Cullis family have been Bacta members since the 1970s and Joseph’s first steps into association office came when he was elected to the Scottish regional chair in 2016. He then became vice chairman of Division 1 in 2019, rising to chairman in 2021. Following the restructure of Bacta last year, he took over as John Bollom’s vice and is now preparing for the final step to lead the association.
“That could come in July 2025. It will bring many challenges – running my business and contributing the time necessary to head the Bacta organisation. It was the subject of long discussions with Suzanne, who will take on added responsibilities as a result of the change in my business days, notably with periods spent away from home. It won’t be easy for Suzanne, my family or myself, but I am willing to take up that challenge if it is the wish of the membership that I should do so.”
Cullis notes that the past couple of years have seen a huge change for Bacta, mostly very positive. “Much of the credit for that must go to John Bollom. He has done an amazing job leading the restructure under difficult circumstances and has worked tirelessly for three years.
“The changes that have been implemented are now beginning to yield results. Our white paper shopping list has been very largely granted and with a streamlined National Council we can make decisions at a much faster pace – difficult under the old structure. We now just need to place pressure on the incoming government to implement the changes recommended in that white paper process and the industry can thrive in the coming years.”
