London casino show ideal stop-over for N. Americans

A London casino show just ahead of ICE in Barcelona would be an ‘ideal stopping off point’ for transatlantic visitors, said Nick Harding, the special ambassador for the upcoming London Casino and Gaming Show (January 14-16).

Just back from a ‘fact-finding mission’ to Las Vegas, Harding said that he had spoken to several leading operators during his trip and that they were all positive about the show, which is being held alongside the EAG amusement machine expo at ExCeL, finishing only four days ahead of Barcelona.

“Many of them like visiting London,” he said, “they are used to visiting London and ExCeL and it has many more direct air connections with North America.”

Apart from that, the boutique London casino event, with its ‘bricks and mortar’ casino focus, would mean that much of the foot-slogging would be taken out of a European casino show visit. “The land-based sector will be able to see all that they need in London, unencumbered by hundreds of online gambling booths.”

He added: “In conversation with a senior industry analyst, his view was that, given the scheduling of flights from the US to Europe it made a lot of sense for US visitors to come into London for the LCG show and then get a regional flight to Barcelona on the Sunday.”

Initial responses coming in from European operators, he said, also suggested that the London Casino & Gaming Show will get substantial footfall from continental land-based casinos.