Casino Life previews the London Gaming Show 2027 with Chair Nick Harding.
Casino Life speaks exclusively with London Gaming Show Chair Nick Harding about the success of the 2026 event, plans for 2027, casino and sports betting growth, international expansion, AI, compliance and the continuing appeal of a focused London gaming exhibition.
The London Gaming Show is entering its next chapter with a clear ambition: to build on the success of its 2026 edition while strengthening its position as a focused, business-friendly event for the gaming and leisure industry. In this exclusive interview with Casino Life, London Gaming Show Chair Nick Harding looks ahead to the 2027 show, reflecting on the positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors, the rapid take-up of the event's new rebooking programme and plans to attract more European casino exhibitors and members of the sports betting sector. Harding also discusses the growing influence of AI, the importance of responsible gaming and compliance, the emergence of Competitive Socializing as a major leisure vertical, and why the industry continues to value a smaller, more niche exhibition in the heart of London.
Nick, before we look ahead to 2027, what was the overall feedback from exhibitors and visitors following the 2026 London Gaming Show?
Feedback from both exhibitors and visitors was excellent. People clearly appreciated the way that the show is developing its three core elements. Exhibitors were able to see that we have listened to the feedback obtained through one-to one-meetings between our executive team and senior members of their teams.
Were there any particular comments, success stories or business outcomes from exhibitors that stood out to you after the 2026 event?
Specifically the Boomerang team kindly told us that it had been one of the most productive events that they had ever been to, which was fantastic to hear. Our new post-show rebooking program was taken up enthusiastically. By the end of January, a majority of exhibitors had rebooked for ’27, which was a great endorsement for Nikki Lazenby and her team.
Looking back, what do you consider to have been the biggest achievements of the 2026 London Gaming Show?
As you know I am a relative newcomer to the exhibition industry (having spent 40 years as a visitor), but it was great to see the efforts of the team over the previous 12 months come together in a flawless presentation. While ‘you can never please all the people all the time,’ I could count the number of grumbles on one hand. So the biggest achievement must be happy visitors and happy exhibitors, job done!
How have the insights and feedback gathered from the 2026 event influenced your planning and strategy for the 2027 show?
We had written and verbal feedback from over 60 percent of our exhibitors, and this was incredibly helpful. We are now using this to shape next January’s show. It’s like any business: You have to keep adjusting, finessing and experimenting.
The London Gaming Show has now established itself on the industry calendar. How do you see the event continuing to evolve as it enters its next phase of growth?
This year we are aiming to work closely with our existing UK casino exhibitors to ensure that they are happy and, at the same time, welcome more European casino exhibitors. We also plan to stimulate new discussions with land-based sports betting suppliers and operators, in order to continue to broaden the scope and appeal of the London Gaming Show.
The feedback from the UK casino sector has been that they value a niche, London-based show that offers a pleasant, less frenetic environment in which to do business. We hope to now plant some new seeds, and welcome the UK and European sports betting industry on the same basis.
What can exhibitors and visitors expect to be different or enhanced at the 2027 show compared with previous editions?
Overall we were very happy with the ’26 show, so I don’t foresee any earth-shattering changes. There will just be subtle improvements to what was clearly a well-received format, delivered by a team that is also growing and developing the skills necessary to exceed expectations.
Are there any new exhibition sectors, product categories or industry verticals that will be introduced in 2027?
SIExpo is now morphing into ‘CompSoc UK’ and that will be the new branding for the Competitive Socializing element of EAG. It is an exciting sector, of which the UK is a touchstone internationally, and we look forward to welcoming even more exhibitors in ’27. The effervescent and talented Jade Craig is once again managing the seminar program. This year we are bringing the four BACTA seminars down from the gallery and incorporating those into Jade’s program.
Technology continues to reshape the gaming landscape. Which emerging trends do you expect to be among the major talking points at the 2027 show?
This may well be one of the seminar topics, but in any event we are increasingly seeing the marriage of AI with traditional products in every part of EAG. I have no doubt that this will continue to grow.
International participation has been a key objective for the show. What progress have you made in attracting new exhibitors and delegates from overseas markets?
We are seeing a great deal of interest in the CompSoc sector and our sales team seem to have their phones welded to their heads on international calls. I am confident that we will see a healthy increase in foreign exhibitors to this sector. From the outset, when we launched the London Gaming Show we knew that our exhibition dates are close to those of ICE in Barcelona. But we have been consistent in our view that the sector values a smaller, more-niche show in the worlds greatest capital city, and this seems to be gaining support from that sector.
Responsible gaming, compliance and regulation remain key industry priorities. How will these subjects be addressed within the 2027 seminar and networking program?
They certainly will. We have a licensing-and-compliance seminar as part of the program. The UK Gambling Commission will be present at the BACTA Business Lounge, together with other UK regulators attending as VIPs.
Looking at the wider gaming sector, what do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing operators over the next 12 to 18 months?
Inflation, taxation and unemployment bearing down heavily on the industry as a whole.
For companies that have yet to attend or exhibit at the London Gaming Show, what would you say are the key reasons they should be part of the 2027 event?
It is the only leisure show that includes ‘Gaming,’ ‘Amusement’ and ‘Competitive Socializing.’ Those three sectors, once occupying fairly distinct silos, are now increasingly melding together as part of more-diverse entertainment venues. Come and see them all under one roof in London.
Finally, what is your vision for the London Gaming Show over the next five years? What message would you like to send to the global gaming industry ahead of the 2027 exhibition?
We will shortly be launching our new brands for the EAG show and its three subsidiary components. This a significant event for us, as it puts down a marker and tells our customers that we are not standing still, we are moving forward. We will continue to refine our presentation and content, and we believe that this will drive growth overall for exhibitors and visitors alike.
London is a superb city and access to the show via the Elizabeth Line from central London is fantastic. Over the next five years we will continue to grow. We may add further verticals in terms of leisure, and gaming-associated products and services, possibly to include a conference and events component.
See you next January!
Casino Life Team would like to thank Nick Harding along with his PR Team for all their help and cooperation they provided for this interview
*** This exclusive interview was originally published in June 2026 Edition of Casino Life Magazine Issue 189***
