UK Croupier Championship to Take Place in January at the London Casino and Gaming Expo

 This prestigious competition, which has become one of the most highly regarded in the sector, will be held on Wednesday, January 15, coinciding with the second day of the exhibition at ExCeL London, home to the annual EAG fair for attractions and low-stakes gaming.

The announcement was made by Martin Burlin, president of the EAG, who described the addition of the tournament as a "major coup" for the expo. Burlin explained that after discussions with Nicola Lazenby, show director, and Nick Harding, event ambassador, along with Murat Salih, live table games director at Hippodrome Casino in London, the tournament was confirmed to take place as part of this important industry gathering.

"It’s a real win for us," said Burlin, highlighting the significance of hosting numerous London casino directors during the event. Many are expected to attend with senior executives and croupiers. Burlin noted that hosting the championship while they are in town is a logical and convenient move, adding excitement to the new event that will run alongside the EAG by Bacta from January 14-16.
A Growing, Prestigious Tournament

The UK Croupier Championship, which started in 2016, has steadily grown to become a well-regarded competition in the gaming industry. Murat Salih, who has been at Hippodrome Casino for over 12 years and now serves as the live table games director, is responsible for organizing the annual tournament. Salih has overseen countless local, national, and international tournaments and has worked with some of the best croupiers in the industry.

The championship is designed to showcase the skills and professionalism of top croupiers from various casinos across the UK. Croupiers are nominated by their respective operators. "Most operators hold internal contests to identify their champions, ensuring that only the best reach the competition," Salih explained.
High-Level Skill Assessment

Participants in the tournament will be judged on a range of critical skills, including card handling, game knowledge, security awareness, customer service abilities, and overall professionalism. These key areas are essential for high-level croupiers, and the championship is designed to highlight those who excel in all aspects.

Holding this event during the London Casino and Gaming Expo is expected to draw a large number of industry professionals and marks a significant step in positioning the expo as a key fixture in the gaming calendar. "We are thrilled about what this means for our event and the industry as a whole," Burlin concluded.