“EAG has set a solid foundation for the year ahead,” said Mike Clokie during the company’s London outing. And topping that bill will clearly be E-Service’s Pay-with-ME cashless solution which hit all the show’s sweet spots. But it didn’t stop there: its extensive pool equipment range also put in a top quality performance.
Coinslot: How did the show go for you this year – did it meet your expectations?
Mike Clokie:EAG 2026 was an excellent show for E-Service and very much met our expectations. The quality of conversations on the stand was particularly strong, with a good mix of long-standing customers and new operators engaging with us across all three days.
There was a clear appetite for practical, cost-effective solutions that operators can deploy quickly, and that played very well to our strengths.
The overall mood at the show felt positive and proactive. Despite ongoing challenges across the sector, EAG demonstrated that operators are still investing, still innovating and still looking for ways to evolve their businesses responsibly.
Coinslot: Any key developments finalised at EAG – new agreements signed, appointments made or installations agreed?
Mike Clokie:EAG was extremely productive from a commercial perspective. The stand-out product at the show was the Pay-with-ME cashless solution, particularly for pool tables where the solution really hits the right price point.
We also confirmed orders for our extensive range of pool equipment, with several new customer relationships established during the show. In addition, EAG allowed us to advance discussions with partners around future portfolio expansion, which we’ll be building on over the coming months.
Coinslot: What were the stand highlights – which products caught attention and what was the reaction to your portfolio?
Mike Clokie:Without question, Pay-with-ME was the star on the stand this year. The simplicity of the QR-based journey, the lack of onboarding friction and the competitive pricing resonated strongly with operators.
Many immediately recognised its suitability not just for pool tables, but also for, all types of arcade equipment, vending and other unattended or semi-attended environments.
We also saw strong interest in our range of high quality affordable Thomas change machines, alongside our pool and cue sports range.
Overall, the reaction to the E-Service portfolio was very positive, with operators appreciating that our focus remains on solutions that are practical, compliant and easy to support.
Coinslot: It’s a defining year with new regulation and legislation. What was the mood of the industry and the main talking points?
Mike Clokie:The general mood was one of realism, but also collaboration. Regulation, compliance and cost pressures were key talking points, as was the need for clarity and consistency from regulators. At the same time, there was a strong sense that modernisation – particularly around payments – is no longer optional.
Cashless, hybrid models and frictionless customer journeys were central to many conversations. Operators are looking for solutions that enhance the customer experience without adding complexity or cost, and that theme came through clearly across the show.
Coinslot: Now the show is over, what’s on your agenda heading into spring?
Mike Clokie:Our immediate focus is on rolling out Pay-with-ME installations following the strong reception at EAG. We’ll also be continuing to develop our cashless, payments and compliance offering, alongside further expansion of our pool and components portfolio.
In terms of events, we’ll be maintaining a strong presence at key industry exhibitions, including the Dublin show, ARE in Manchester and IAAPA and continuing our close engagement with customers and partners.
EAG has set a solid foundation for the year ahead, and we’re looking forward to building on that momentum through spring and beyond.
Star of the show
Mike Clokie said… “Without question, Pay-with-ME was the star on the stand this year. The simplicity of the QR-based journey, the lack of onboarding friction and the competitive pricing resonated strongly with operators…
