Preview 2008 proved once again to be the place to be in order to find out what is hot in the UK industry and beyond.
This year’s show was particularly important, as it was the first significant industry event after the implementation of the new UK gaming law. Therefore, several major players in the manufacturing and distributing sectors were present.
Visitor numbers were reportedly hit slightly by transport problems on the motorways and rail network but despite this - and the clash with the Rome show - both floors and the entrance hall were buzzing throughout the exhibition.
As ever, the show spilled over into the bars at the Novotel West, which witnessed lively industry discussions on the hot topic of the show, the new B3 category machines and conversion kits.
“The timing of the exhibition, just after the introduction of the new UK Gaming Act in September, could be seen as a mixed blessing,” said Philip Howard, of organisers Howard & Wikberg.
“On the one hand, it provided operators with the first opportunity to see products from manufacturers configured to the new law. On the other hand, it was still probably too early to know which of those products would prove to be the real winners, as manufacturers had not had time to conduct proper site tests. So, we were pleasantly surprised at how just how positive the feedback was.”
