Industry Stalwarts: John Stergides, Co-founder of Electrocoin
Intergame highlights some of the most influential people from across the industry, profiling long-serving legends and fast-rising talent.
For any long−time readers of InterGame, you will no doubt be familiar with John Stergides. Co−founder of the UK manufacturer and distributor of arcade games and more, Stergides is coin-op royalty and has dedicated more than 55 years of his life to the industry.
“He’s synonymous with the industry,” said his son, John A Stergides, who works alongside his father as Electrocoin’s sales and marketing director.
“He loves this industry. He’s one of those old school characters that can be hard to find. We’re very lucky to have someone with that passion and desire still leading the company.”
What began as a passion for John senior has now grown to become a family affair, with all three of his children helping to contribute to the success of Electrocoin.
The company has been an important part of the industry ever since its founding in 1976, an is well known for its Bar-X line of AWPs, which it continues to produce to this day. In the arcade heyday of the 1980s, Electrocoin was importing rare and exotic games from companies like Taito, Capcom and Konami, with which it still has a relationship today, offering the latest Dance Dance Revolution games to players.
John A Stergides said: “It’s a credit to him that someone who had no link to the industry when he first started has been able to have such a huge impact on it. Companies still come to us today to ask us to represent their products.”
A long−time supporter of the industry, he helped to set up Park Avenue Open Day, an annual event which saw the UK and European industry descend onto the London industrial estate where many companies were located to showcase the latest products and services. It continues to this day, with 2026’s edition set to take place on June 3, featuring the traditional Greek barbecue and ice cream van.
His contribution to the industry is best summed up by his peers in the UK, who have often called him “the best president that Bacta never had.”