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The emergence of new gaming venues are accounting for 30 percent of Blueprint machine orders

Published

5 years ago

December 1, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Renewed market confidence, a strong product offering and the opening of new gaming ventures on the UK high street are all combining to help drive the sales of Blueprint digital machines, according to feedback from the brand, which is part of MERKUR UK.

Reflecting on the market dynamics David Purvis, Managing Director of Blueprint Operations, stated: “We went into the ACOS show on the back of a very successful quarter in which sales were 50 percent up on the same stage 12-months ago” he confirmed. ”We subsequently put a lot of care and resource into our presence at ACOS which included holding a virtual exhibition the week prior for those members of the industry who were unable or not comfortable with travelling to London and the investment that we made has certainly paid dividends.

“In the month following ACOS we have continued to take orders across the range. Significantly, customers know that despite the well documented supply chain issues and due to a combination of meticulous planning and the fact that Blueprint machines carry the Made In Germany badge we are not subject to the long transit times incurred when production is in the Far East. As it stands currently we are able to quote the normal delivery times which means that operators are able to invest in their existing premises and perhaps most significantly that new venues can open with a full complement of top earning Blueprint product and start to pay back on the investment made.”

He added: “Analysing the orders processed during and followingmOctober’s exhibition , some 30 percent of the total volume has come from operators launching new venues. Clearly the UK high street is undergoing a period of significant change and low stake, low prize gambling entertainment venues are bringing much needed life and energy to UK high streets.”

Blueprint’s new product offering comprises three cabinets which aim to extend the digital entertainment experience from the home environment into retail venues. The Ultramax Cat C features a seamless edge-to-edge gaming experience courtesy of the two 31.5” screens. The B3 Wave+ and Auroramax+ also feature large screens – the Wave+ has a 43” curved portrait screen with the Auroramax+ boasting two 32” HD screens. Both have a new 15.6” video play deck to deliver a more interactive experience and feature the QXI6000 Quad core PC for enhanced graphical performance and smooth gameplay. David Purvis concluded: “Looking ahead I think there’s a buoyancy and quiet confidence in the market. The high proportion of vacant premises sitting empty on the high street has led to a restructuring of shop rents and the emergence of a more leisure oriented retail experience all of which augurs well for the future.”

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

6 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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