In keeping with the headline, Paul Scott, Sales Director at E-Service, certainly made sure that reliability, easy implementation and speedy delivery solutions were the company’s key focus points at ARE last week. It was a packed stand in terms of offerings: MyCheckr, Thomas change machines, CountR Gold and Silver kiosks – there was plenty there, as there were operators. Scott talks Coinslot through the E-Service away trip to Manchester and how they came back with all the points.
Coinslot: It was the second edition of the ARE Expo this week. How would you rate ARE 2026 and what were the highlights?
Paul Scott: For us, the highlight of ARE Expo was getting back in front of operators and having open, honest discussions about the challenges they’re facing.
There was also strong interest in the evolution of payment and cash-handling technologies, particularly around interoperability and future-proofing systems, which are areas where we’re seeing increasing demand.
Coinslot: There has been a very positive vibe around the show since its launch. Did it deliver good footfall and business opportunities or were you more interested in supporting a show that brings the industry together at a last selling point before the summer season gets into gear?
Paul Scott: It’s a combination of both. The footfall was strong and, importantly, it was the right kind of audience, namely operators who were engaged and actively looking for solutions. That naturally creates meaningful business opportunities.
At the same time, ARE Expo plays an important role in bringing the industry together at a key point in the calendar. With the summer season approaching, it allows operators to sense-check their strategies and explore ways to improve efficiency and performance.
Coinslot: You have given strong backing to ARE particularly with the quality of product you took to Manchester. Talk us through some of the crowd pulling innovations in your portfolio?
Paul Scott: Our focus this year was on solutions that solve real operational challenges, and that was reflected in the level of interest across the stand.
A key highlight was the CountR Gold and Silver payment kiosks, which are cutting-edge self-service solutions offering superior efficiency and reliability. These “casino-grade” systems are designed to support both cashless play and automated cash handling, helping operators streamline operations while enhancing the player experience.
Importantly, the CountR range is GBG TITO-ready, allowing interoperability between different machine manufacturers. That’s a significant step forward for operators looking to future-proof their estates and create more flexible, joined-up systems.
Alongside this, the MyCheckr system, demonstrated with Innovative Technology, generated strong interest – particularly its ability to control access points and support age verification in a simple, effective way.
We also showcased our Thomas change machines, from high-capacity TITO ATR units to compact models like the Slimline and 1000 series, giving operators flexibility depending on venue size and requirements.
Finally, our ticketing solutions sparked some useful conversations—particularly around how high-quality ticket stock can reduce downtime and improve machine performance, something that can often be underestimated.
Coinslot: Were there any notable wins from the two days – new agreements, installations, partnerships?
Paul Scott: There were a number of very positive conversations that we expect to convert into new installations and partnerships over the coming months, particularly around integrated payment solutions.
We’re seeing growing demand for systems like the CountR kiosks that combine cashless functionality, TITO capability and advanced cash handling in a single platform. Operators are increasingly looking for solutions that not only improve efficiency but also offer long-term reliability and scalability.
It’s less about immediate wins and more about building relationships and pipelines, and ARE Expo provided a strong platform for that.
Coinslot: ARE delivered an interesting array of seminars and the Bacta North West Region were there in force as were licensing officials who joined the GBG on their High Street Hub. The threat to Aim to Permit was a key talking point, but what were you keen to discuss on the broader level?
Paul Scott: While regulatory topics like Aim to Permit are clearly important, the broader conversations we were having focused on cost pressures, operational efficiency and compliance.
Operators are dealing with increasing costs and uncertainty, so there’s a real need for solutions that are reliable, easy to implement and deliver value quickly. Payment systems and cash handling were a big part of that conversation – particularly how newer technologies can simplify processes while supporting compliance requirements. We also discussed how interoperability and data-driven systems can help operators make more informed decisions and adapt more easily as the regulatory landscape evolves.
Ultimately, the focus was on practical solutions and tools that work in the real world and help operators run more efficient, resilient businesses.
Practicality Paul
Paul Scott said……. “Ultimately, the focus was on practical solutions and tools that work in the real world and help operators run more efficient, resilient businesses……
