As well as serving as a showcase for the very latest high-income products EAG Expo is also renowned for providing up to the minute and incisive analysis of the industry. The Pub Summit is a highlight of the EAG Expo experience and this year’s panel features a stellar list of experts including Chair of UKhospitality Kate Nichols, Simon Barff, Managing Director of CLMS, Dawn Clarke, Head of Electronic Leisure, Mitchells and Butler, Daniel Chadaway, Head of Gaming at Stonegate Group and Teddy Ryan, Managing Director of the Public Affairs Consultancy Anacta. Pub Summit Chair, Peter Davies previews an event that’s frequently a case of ‘standing room only’ and looks ahead to how the flagship event might develop.
Coinslot: Who will be appearing on the 2026 Pub Summit and what insight will they bring?
Peter Davies: We will have a stellar panel of speakers. Simon Barff, Managing Director of CLMS will join us once again to provide an update on the current and historical performance trends of pay to play gaming and entertainment products across the pub estate.
Teddy Ryan, Managing Director at Anacta will provide political insight into current government policy affecting Pubs directly and what we can expect from the year ahead in Westminster.
Kate Nichols, chair of UK Hospitality will provide us with an overview of the burning issues directly affecting the future of Pubs and we will also be joined on the panel by Dawn Clarke, Head of Electronic Leisure from Mitchells and Butler and Daniel Chadaway, head of gaming for Stonegate Group to get a pub operator perspective on the importance of gaming and entertainment for a Pub’s bottom line.
Coinslot: What format will the Summit take?
Peter Davies: We will follow a similar format to previous years with the Summit split into two segments.
We will open with some key presentations and then each of the panelists will join me for a Q&A session covering some key questions with full interaction from the audience encouraged.
Coinslot: The Pub Summit is one of the highlights of EAG – what will attendees learn, what do you think will be the key take outs?
Peter Davies: Given the impressive line-up we have this year I expect the tone to be very much about how the Pub sector and the Gaming and Amusement sectors can work together to support and protect the great British pub.
We will have unique and pertinent insight from trade body, operator, data aggregator and political public affairs.
Coinslot: Will the Summit just cover gaming machines or will it take in the entire spectrum of the entertainment experience including music and cue sports?
Peter Davies: The conversation will definitely cover all aspects of pay to play entertainment and gaming. Pub operators and suppliers offer a diverse product range and this is a growing revenue stream that Pub operators can tap into.
I’m sure we will get some valuable insight from the Pub Operators on the panel who have real experience of new pay-to-play offers and competitive
socialising.
Coinslot: EAG also includes the SIE Expo which covers competitive socialising. Some machine operators are adopting competitive socialising as a stream within their broader offering, most NUS bars won’t site Cat C products, and Gen Z is seeking more from their leisure spend – with such a backdrop do you see competitive socialising as a key focus and one that offers opportunities throughout the pub supply chain?
Peter Davies: Undoubtedly savvy suppliers and operators are seeking new ways to engage with customers. Pubs, clubs and bars are unique in the breadth of the consumer demographic they appeal too, from students to pensioners, from casual dining to michelin star, from country pub to lively high street venue and all aspects in between.
Finding products that can appeal to the target audience is more important than ever. We have seen a rising number of venues designing their offer around themes or experiences.
Interactive darts, pool, shuffle boards and mini golf to name a few. Any operator not tapping into these trends is missing a trick!
Coinslot: Do you believe that Cat C is recognised for its ability to generate crucial revenue streams for Pub Cos and as a result do you envisage greater co-operation and collaboration between Bacta and organisations such as the BBPA?
Peter Davies: Cat C is a low stake bedrock product with universal appeal and a proven consistent revenue generator for Pubs and to which every licensed Pub has a right to operate.
I think the run up to the November budget put the importance of this product into stark relief with Bacta, UKH and BBPA together with other industry trade bodies all working together to highlight the existential danger of increasing Machine Gaming Duty.
Ensuring Cat C can evolve is key. The sector is very long overdue a stake and prize review and I’m sure this will be a key discussion point.
Collaboration between trade bodies when lobbying for positive change is always key and the respective industry associations have a good track record of co-operation which I think will only get stronger.
Coinslot: In the past it has been suggested that some PubCos have been embarrassed by the association with gaming entertainment – is that a view that you recognise?
Peter Davies: I think most Pub operators recognise the importance and the value of the revenue delivered from gaming and entertainment. Some chose to highlight these revenue streams in their annual reports and quarterly results others chose not too.
I don’t think its about embarrassment necessarily, more what plays to investment markets and brand values. It’s a great question though and one which is now on my list to ask the panel!
There will certainly be a room full of people at the Summit who are not embarrassed by the importance of the gaming and entertainment sector.
Coinslot: The Pub Summit is the only event which focusses on the nexus between gaming and the pub sector – as such do you see opportunities for growth and development perhaps as a stand-alone symposium?
Peter Davies: It would be great to see a symposium or one day conference set up to address the opportunities, developments and challenges that the sectors are facing focussed specifically on gaming, entertainment and retail trends. One to follow up on post EAG perhaps.
Coinslot: What does success look like – what do you want the Summit to achieve?
Peter Davies: If attendees feel they have gained something from giving their time to attend and engage with the panelists and each other then we can say the event was a success.
These events are often not about eureka moments but more about encouragement and comradery.
If we get a few people who leave the Summit with a clear decision to try something new or develop something new or have a positive conversation with a supplier then that will be excellent.
Coinslot: Finally, what would you say to members of the industry considering attending the Summit?
Peter Davies: Pubs, suppliers and operators are in a perfect storm of rising costs. Come and join the conversation and hear what our trade associations are doing and to gain insight into the value of the gaming and entertainment sector.
There’s an exhibition hall full of exciting products that can help improve the profit margins of Pubs waiting for the attendees to experience and enjoy. What else are you doing that’s more important?
The free to attend EAG Pub Summit will take place 13 January, 13.00-14.15 in Seminar Room 6 North Gallery, ExCeL London
To attend EAG Expo incorporating the Social Immersive Entertainment Expo and the London Casino and Gaming Show, 13-15 January, ExCeL London visit: www.eagexpo.com
The rise of the machines
Peter Davies said… “I think most Pub operators recognise the importance and the value of the revenue delivered from gaming and entertainment. Some chose to highlight these revenue streams in their annual reports and quarterly results others chose not too…There will certainly be a room full of people at the Summit who are not embarrassed by the importance of the gaming and entertainment sector…
Originally published on Coinslot on December 15, 2025. Republished with permission.