Andy Tipple: ‘ACOS was a triumph for Blueprint Operations. The strength, breadth and versatility of our portfolio underpinned all of the conversations we had with operators throughout the two days’
In what was a hugely successful edition of ACOS Blueprint Operations secured a series of orders including a ‘substantial’ commitment from City Gaming on the opening morning of the show. A busy stand, formidable product offering and positive conversations with operators in all sectors were the key take-outs for Blueprint MD Andy Tipple and his team.
How did ACOS go for you – was there good footfall and business conducted during the two days?
One of the many features of ACOS is its ability to provide a window on the health of the industry, and this year was no exception. We approached the show with a degree of apprehension given the ongoing uncertainties surrounding issues including the White Paper proposals, GMTS, and speculation on the budget. However, true to form, the industry’s resilience came shining through. Footfall was strong, the conversations that we had on and off the stand were positive, and we came away with what is a very encouraging order book. Overall, it was a productive two days that reaffirmed the industry’s appetite for innovation and the strength of the relationships that we enjoy with operators across all areas of the gambling entertainment landscape.
You had a number of crowd-pulling innovations on stand – talk us through some of them and what was the customer reaction to your portfolio.
I should start by confirming that we were absolutely delighted with the market’s response to our entire line-up at ACOS.
The Bullseye 3-Player (Cat C) was a particular highlight. Designed to encourage group play within AGC and bingo environments, it extends further the reach of the Bullseye brand and reinforces its strong omni-channel presence.
Our Searing 7s title, the second in our omni-channel series, also attracted a great deal of attention. It underlines our strategy to develop content that performs consistently across multiple markets and platforms.
The Blueprint Content Preview Stations, enabled visitors—guided by our account managers—to browse and play the latest BPO titles. This hands-on element went down extremely well with operators who were able to draw on the insight and expertise of the account management team.
The Technical Support Zone also represented a real value-add for operators who made the journey to ACOS. We wanted to provide a space where customers could discuss everything from cabinets and components to practical solutions around age verification and payment systems. The strength, breadth and versatility of our portfolio underpinned all of the conversations we had throughout the two days at ACOS.
Were there any notable wins from the two days – new agreements, installations, partnerships?
Absolutely. As Coinslot reported last week we got ACOS off to a formidable start recording a substantial order from City Gaming covering its Game Nation brand of AGCs.
The order, which was sealed on the opening morning covered our Premium B3 games, the Poker range and the acclaimed Velocity which is set to become Blueprint’s biggest selling cabinet of all time eclipsing the success we enjoyed with the Ultramax. Beyond that, we secured a number of strategically important agreements with existing operators, deals that not only expand our footprint but also reflect the trust that we have earned across all sectors.
ACOS is always a good barometer of the mood in the market – and by all accounts it was a spirited event. How would you describe the mood and what were the main talking points?
ACOS always delivers a great atmosphere: the venue is compact, focused, and provides the perfect space to hold meaningful discussions. I should also add that the Party on the opening evening was a fantastic extension of the show. It has to be said that Karen and her team throw a great party! The show conversations were constructive and there was a genuine sense of the industry getting on with the challenges of running a business and keeping the British public entertained!
With a brief break between now and January’s EAG, what new innovations or projects can we expect at the London show?
We’re already deep into our preparations for EAG and the team is really excited about January’s event. Without giving too much away we will be unveiling a major licensed brand which we’re confident will make a huge impact on the show floor and a talking point throughout EAG. The stand will be themed accordingly in order to showcase the impact and reach of our branded content strategy. I can confidently predict that EAG ’26 will be one of our biggest and most dynamic show appearances yet.
