Confirming the attendance, EAG Chairman Martin Burlin said: “On behalf of the EAG Board I am proud to announce that Lord McNicol will be cutting the ribbon at EAG and officially declaring the 2024 show open to the industry.

“EAG is the premier b2b event for the sector and I am delighted that in addition to showcasing the very latest product launches, technologies and innovations to an audience of some 4,000 operators it will also be showcasing what our industry is all about to such an influential politician.”

John Bollom, Bacta National President added: “At the recent Bacta Annual Convention I described EAG as the association’s ‘Jewel In The Crown’ and that’s reflected in a number of different ways. Not only does EAG provide a highly professional business arena in which games creators/distributors can meet with operators drawn from all sectors but it also provides a tangible demonstration of what our industry stands for – ‘the serious business of fun’.

“I look forward to hosting Lord McNicol, showing him around EAG, introducing him to bacta members, outlining our distinguished history as we celebrate our 50th-year and explaining the huge contributions the industry continues to make to the high street, to seaside communities and to the economy at local, regional and national levels. The country will almost certainly have been to the polls before EAG 2025 and I am delighted to have this opportunity to expand our political engagement by hosting the Shadow Spokesperson for Business and Trade at our jewel in the crown.”

He added: “EAG’s ‘The Year Starts Here’ theme could not be more appropriate as the industry prepares for what many of our members believe will be a year of opportunity as manufacturers and operators respond to the White Paper on gambling reform.”

The 4,000+ operators expected to attend the 2024 edition will have the opportunity to access the very latest product launches and innovations from circa 120 leading brands, share insights and experiences with industry colleagues, keep up with developments impacting social responsibility courtesy of the Bacta Safer Gambling Hub, celebrate industry excellence at the Bacta Annual Awards and participate in Bacta’s new ‘thinkbite’ branded seminar programme which is packed with business-relevant content and insights.