These are tough times for industry exhibitions as businesses try to counter rampaging costs by cutting back on their outgoings. But the second edition of ARE held its own at the Cotton Sheds in Manchester last week, pulling in the UK’s leading manufacturers, distributors and systems innovators. Offering a new brand of boutique show, ARE delivered the best new products on the market and top quality discussion.
That special spot on the industry calendar, just shy of the season fanfare and just out of Easter – well, ARE owned it at the Cotton Sheds in Manchester this week.
There was a stronger than expected opening day, a packed first night party – although that seemed to take its toll on the second day – and all the leading products that are topping the machine charts were on display over the two days.
There were quality seminars covering all the key subject matters, and significant support from the trade bodies, with Bacta hosting its North West Regional Meeting alongside the show, bringing over 40 delegates to ARE after its proceedings were completed.
And then there was the flourishing partnership with the Gambling Business Group and their High Street Hub which brought significant benefits from the wider reaches of the industry. That drew in the largest contingent of local authority licensing officials and police forces at a UK amusements, gaming and gambling exhibition.
Over 50 members of the Institute of Licensing made their way to the GBG High Street Hub following their own Gambling Conference at the venue to tour the stands at ARE and meet with exhibitors to explore the innovations for player protections currently being rolled out.
Much of what was discussed on the High Street Hub and at the Bacta Regional Meeting set the conversations going at ARE, the most concerning of all being the assault on the Aim to Permit principle and the proposed Gambling Impact Assessments.
As far as the seminars were concerned, cashless (Simon Barff), AI (Helena Rudd) and competitive socialising were the key topics driving debate, and the biggest turn-out at the high street regeneration seminar tackled the concerning issues that are impacting the future of Britain’s high streets.
But, as the saying goes, it’s all about product stupid. And that was in abundance.
Blueprint reported a “brilliant” opening day as they laid out new titles and an alluring four new games – Son of Horus, Dragon’s Egg, Buccaneer’s Treasure and Monster’s Fortune.
Novomatic Gaming UK also brought their market leading titles with BellDorado, Asian Flower Plus, Piggy Prizes Wish of Riches and Athena Goddess of War, leading the B3 way,
Reflex, too, were in enthusiastic mood showcasing a strong line-up of machines and games built to deliver standout player experiences across the arcade, bingo and pub sectors.
Electrocoin continued its unwavering support for exhibitions, doubling up with a stand at ARE and Interazar in Madrid on the same days. Its Football Champ game and Pokemon pinball drew the attention there.
The Rudd Group were also on the up with their darts zone phenomenon hitting the mark.
As was NSM’s Atom which continues to break industry records with jukebox number 5,000 soon to be despatched into the market in two years.
Bingo was cornered by Wexel who courted a lot of attention, and then who can’t resist Peppa Pig who took up residence at SB Machines.
At JNC there were three new launches on display – Clock Quest, Container and Spin Box.
And technology also proved a dominant force at ARE. Boomerang Digital’s focus on facial recognition and RBW Systems work on the Bacta Portal delivered further evidence that both are streets ahead of the market and their show activity signalled a rapidly growing footprint in the systems sector.
Meanwhile, E-Service continued to curry favour with its MyCheckr system and the industry stalwart Thomas change machines.
It was a show of note – there was impressive displays at Sega, Instance and Ask Global on the floor – stirring organiser Karen Cooke to record the expo as “very encouraging”.
And that in what is going to be one of the toughest economic years for sometime, must be considered a major success.
Originally published on Coinslot on May 4, 2026. Republished with permission.