The Government’s decision not to increase the rate of MGD for the land-based sector has released the hand brake on investment and paved the way for the industry to enjoy a stellar edition of EAG Expo in January, believes Blueprint Managing Director Andy Tipple.
Speaking after the Bacta Convention where the Chancellor’s decision announced the day before was understandably top of the agenda Tipple said: “Following the Government’s decision not to introduce an increase in turnover tax the industry can now approach January’s EAG with confidence.
“It’s vital for the sector to be able to maintain investment, whether that be in replacement machines, new venue openings or venue refurbishments. As a pivotal link in the machine supply chain a change to top-line taxation would have required a complete rethink of our 2026 strategy.”
He added that the decision also provides a stable environment for ongoing product development: “It allows us to deliver our ambitious plans for 2026 with new game content for both B3 and Category C which we will be showcasing at EAG the flagship show for the business” he stated. “With EAG imminent, an increase in turnover tax would have created uncertainty and made the investment decisions— which are often taken by customers ahead of their show visit—far more fragile.”
Despite the positive outcome, Tipple acknowledged that operators continue to face powerful headwinds. “Customers are dealing with a raft of increases to the costs of running a business not least the uplift in the minimum wage” he stated. “However, experience has shown that by investing in the latest digital gaming products it’s possible to grow income and offset commercial pressures.”
Looking ahead to EAG he confirmed strong momentum within the business: “With six weeks remaining before the show, the team is excited about the product line-up we have prepared for our customers across the AGC, Bingo and single-site sectors.
“EAG provides the market with a vision for the year ahead. Visitor expectations are high, and they attend the show actively seeking new games to invest in. We hope to meet and surpass those expectations with a portfolio of outstanding cabinets and content across all sectors. In my experience, having a strong EAG can shape the entire year.”
