Barcrest and Games Media, wholly owned subsidiaries of Scientific Games Corporation, have announced their decision to join Business In Sport and Leisure, the strategic body representing the private sector in the sports and leisure industry.

This move has been made alongside a decision to withdraw their membership from BACTA, which represents the British amusement industry, on the basis that the companies believe that BISL more closely represents their interests across the broader gaming industry. Barcrest and Games Media now join The Global Draw as members of BISL.

Ian Timmis, chief executive of Scientific Games' gaming division, said: "Our group of gaming businesses has a far broader customer constituency than any other gaming business in the UK, providing multi-platform content and solutions to pubs, arcades, bingo clubs, licensed betting offices and interactive gaming operators.

“We’re grateful for the high level of support and contribution we have received from BACTA. However, as a result of our evolving product mix and as the growth of online and social gaming increasingly blurs the lines between these constituencies, it is important that we support the wider gaming industry.

"The gaming industry is continually developing with regards to legislation and taxation and it is increasingly important that we work towards forming a united voice on such issues.”

BISL's Peter Hannibal added: "We are delighted to receive The Global Draw, Barcrest and Games Media's endorsements of BISL's broad leisure and gaming strategy. We feel confident that BISL will benefit from their involvement in the detailed gaming and slots dialogue that we continue to cultivate with both the government and the regulators.”