Bingo Association CEO Miles Baron has spoken about the “extremely high” quality of interactions and meetings taking place at the Bingo Hub during EAG this year, thanks to a stellar selection of exhibitors and a collaborative enthusiasm in the sector to address the potential difficulties of 2025 head on.

Coinslot: How did the exhibition go for you this year: did it meet your expectations? 

Miles Baron: It probably exceeded them. The scale and number of attendees at the show was in line with expectations, but the quality of meetings and the value of the interactions and contacts made was extremely high.

Coinslot: Any key developments finalised at EAG? 

Miles Baron: The BA was able to meet face to face with operators from Northern Ireland who we are working with closely on a project.

There were also good discussions around product and game ideas for this year.

Finally, it was good to meet the regulator on our home ground along with Bacta, with whom we have been working closely with on areas of common interest such as Gaming Machine Technical Standards.

Coinslot: What were the highlights at the Bingo Hub this year?

Miles Baron: The Bingo Association Hub was a showcase for all things Bingo, but having significant displays from Wexel, ECM and Boomerang made for an eye-catching and standout presence for Bingo.

Coinslot: It’s going to be a defining year for the business – new legislation and new regulation. How did you gauge the general mood of the industry and what were the main talking points?

Miles Baron: I think quite clearly people are apprehensive. 

In 2024 operators and the supply chain continued to claw their way back from the impact of Covid. Investment in new technology and land-based premises was beginning to gather pace and 2025 was looking to be a vibrant year for many. And then came the Budget, and within minutes once again the industry faces all the headwinds that it brings, and without any hope of mitigation from elsewhere.

Coinslot: Now the show is over, what’s on your agenda going into spring?

Miles Baron: The Bingo Association has a full agenda in 2025. Apart from avoiding the unintended harmful consequences of the Gaming Machine Technical Standards consultation, there is the enactment of the remaining areas of the White Paper to negotiate, particularly in the area of Gaming Machine Ratios. 

The BA are also, through the National Bingo Game, looking to complete with ECM the introduction of game technology into Northern Ireland, launch an exclusive Holiday Park National Bingo Game and license out some of its most iconic and well known brands. All these initiatives are well under way.