Bacta looks to build on EAG Expo success as industry gets ’back to business’

Bacta has praised the return of the physical Entertainment, Attractions & Gaming International (EAG) Expo, which resumed on Tuesday 1 March for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

In spite of industrial action on the London Underground, more than 100 exhibitors and 4,000 buyers attended the ExCel exhibition centre in London.

Despite the resultant travel challenges, bacta reported good sentiment from exhibitors and those in attendance as hundreds flocked to the Excel to see, feel, and buy products.

The EAG Expo has come at a pivotal time for the gaming and amusements industry, and follows a decision to postpone the event, which was originally scheduled for January.

Bacta proudly supported the event with a significant investment with the aim of counteracting some of the negative economic impact created by the pandemic.

Bacta CEO John White said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in EAG 2022 for putting on such a great show. It was fantastic to see some old and new faces and all in person. I was pleased to share the sentiments of many at the event that the industry is keen to build back even stronger in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are proud to support EAG and my sense during the three days were that the industry means business.  In other words, many of my conversations were about getting the business done and the future planned.

“In terms of products, the stand-out development over 2020 was the growth of cashless payment options on products.  Indeed, bacta’s joint venture, Game Payment Technology, had a fabulous show.