Rob Wheeler’s RBW Systems enjoyed a packed EAG. As well as managing a typically busy stand and the launch of Guardian Compliance the company was also centre stage presenting an update on the Bacta Portal to a well-supported seminar made-up of information hungry operators.

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

Rob Wheeler: EAG was fantastic and it genuinely exceeded our expectations. Events like EAG are about making connections and this year set a new benchmark based on our successful relationship with Bacta and the strides we’ve made across the product portfolio in the preceding 12-months. It’s about cementing existing relationships and building new ones and the feedback from everyone was resoundingly positive and upbeat. 

The seminar that we co-hosted with Bacta provided us with an opportunity to update the industry on the redevelopment of the Bacta self-exclusion portal and the integration of Guardian Compliance. It was extremely well attended with an engaged audience of operators who were hungry for information.

Coinslot: Were there any new key developments finalised at EAG?

Rob Wheeler: Our new Guardian Compliance product drew a lot of interest and enthusiasm from operators. It is a game-changer for simplifying compliance and bringing fresh ideas to the table. The feedback has been fantastic, and it’s also been a great way to introduce more operators to the RBW Systems brand, and provide an insight to our wider product portfolio. We also had some really promising conversations about new opportunities. There’s plenty to be excited about  as we continue to grow and develop throughout 2025.

Coinslot: What were the stand highlights – which products caught the attention and what was reaction to your portfolio of products?

Rob Wheeler: Undoubtedly the highlight of this year’s EAG was the launch of Guardian Compliance. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with operators praising its speed and simplicity of use.

A standout feature which was universally loved is the ability it provides to edit and manage all compliance events across multiple sites through our central system and the simplicity of processing quarterly returns with just one click.

Entering the compliance space has allowed us to draw on lessons learnt from the Bacta Portal, understand the operator pain points, and to stay ahead of the Gambling Commission regulations. The result is a modern, forward-thinking solution that saves operators time and effort at the same time as ensuring they remain fully compliant without the usual stresses. 

Our core product, Guardian TITO, also benefitted from the buzz around Guardian Compliance and our partnership with Bacta. We attracted interest from several independent operators, which we’ll be following up on. They were impressed by the value of having all their data in one place, fully integrated across the Guardian product suite.While systems typically aren’t sold on the stand, we’re confident that these new connections will fuel the continued growth of Guardian TITO as we head into 2025.

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?

Rob Wheeler: From our experience at the show, and the number of individuals we engaged with, the general mood of the industry seems positive and resilient. The main talking points for us seemed to be around compliance, speculation surrounding the direction of travel for the Gambling Commission, and how operators can navigate the Commission’s guidance and of course remain compliant.

Coinslot: Now the show is over, what’s on your agenda going into spring in terms of new products, new projects and more exhibitions?

Rob Wheeler: The Guardian Compliance product is currently in beta testing with a group of early-release customers. This phase will help us identify and address any final tweaks or bugs. Next, we’ll begin a partial rollout with existing customers who want to run Guardian Compliance alongside their current self-exclusion scheme.

Once the new Bacta self-exclusion scheme is fully developed and integrated, we’ll be ready to offer the industry a complete compliance package, including built-in self-exclusion. 

We’re also excited to be attending the new ARE show in Manchester this April. It’s a great chance to meet and connect with others across the industry.

Within our existing Guardian product suite, it is business as usual, continuing to reinvest and develop the system, adding new functionality and ensuring we continue to add value for our existing customers.