GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018 SHORTLIST
SHORTLIST GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM
A celebration of the leading companies and most dynamic individuals to have made their mark in the global gaming industry over the past year Lead Partner
COO, EDITOR IN CHIEF Julian Perry EDITOR David Cook David.Cook@gamblinginsider.com STAFF WRITERS Caroline Watson Caroline.Watson@gamblinginsider.com Harrison Sayers Harrison.Sayers@gamblinginsider.com Tim Poole Tim.Poole@gamblinginsider.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Jake Patel, Oliver Rudgewick, LEAD DESIGNER Sigita Budraityte DESIGNER Olesya Adamska DESIGN ASSISTANTS Rebecca Lydamore, Ana Cristina Villarreal OPERATIONS ASSISTANTS Aiste Kontrimaite, Mariya Savova WEBSITE MANAGER Tom Powling BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Deepak Malkani Deepak.Malkani@gamblinginsider.com COMMERCIAL MANAGER Lee Hunter Lee.Hunter@gamblinginsider.com SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Lynn James Lynn.James@gamblinginsider.com ACCOUNT MANAGERS Michael Juqula Michael.Juqula@gamblinginsider.com William Aderele William.Aderele@gamblinginsider.com U.S ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Oz Mustafa Oz.Mustafa@gamblinginsider.com Tel: +1 702 430 1912 US BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sara Suhail sara.suhail@gamblinginsider.com Tel: +1 702 425 7818 CREDIT MANAGER Rachel Voit WITH THANKS TO: Michael Corfman, Frank Fantini, Tal Itzhak Ron, Oliver Lovat, Alex Pratt, Victor Rocha, Jason Rosenberg, Akiyoshi Tsuruoka and all of the Global Gaming Awards Judging Panel Gambling Insider magazine ISSN 2043-9466 Produced and published by Players Publishing Ltd All material is strictly copyrighted and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is forbidden. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of Gambling Insider but we assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher.
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... to the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas 2018 Shortlist magazine. This magazine is powered by Gambling Insider and will be distributed around the world, before the winners are officially announced at this year’s Official Presentation ceremony at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on Monday 8 October. This has been one of the most iconic years the gaming industry has seen in a long time, with the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act opening up a wave of new opportunities in the US market, while we continue to see innovation and achievements across all gaming verticals. The Global Gaming Awards are all about recognising and rewarding these feats. There will be a total of 12 winners at this year’s Awards, who will be decided from a total of 10 nominees in each category. While the industry keeps developing around us, it is important for us to reflect this change and update the Awards accordingly, so we have added four new categories; American Executive of the Year, Property of the Year, Slot of the Year and Product Innovation of the Year. This year’s Awards have been decided by the most respected and established Judging Panel in the history of gaming awards. While the Global Gaming Awards is in its fifth year, this is the largest panel that has ever deliberated on the Awards, with 70 leading executives from across the industry making the all-important decisions. The judges will pick first and second-place choices in each category. Should there be a tie in any category, the nominee with the most second-place votes will be victorious. This comes after a lengthy and detailed process, where selfnominations, together with the eight-strong nomination panel’s recommendations, were analysed before the decisions for the final Shortlist were made. The Global Gaming Awards are the most respected and sought after in the industry, not least due to the openness and transparency in the voting process. KPMG Isle of Man have kindly agreed to independently adjudicate the voting process, to ensure it is carried out with maximum integrity. I would personally like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has made this year’s Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas happen. From the Nomination Panel, to the Judging Panel, to the Gambling Insider editorial team, to KPMG Isle of Man, to the G2E Las Vegas team, to the lead partner BetConstruct, all Award Sponsors and, of course, to those that will be attending the Official Presentation ceremony, thank you for all your help. We hope you will enjoy the show and I personally cannot wait to see you all in Las Vegas on 8 October. Gary Roudette CEO, Gambling Insider
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CONTENTS
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2017
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Content Sponsor: Konami is a global leader in the development, manufacture and distribution of electronic gaming products. Under the Konami Corporation, Konami Australia Pty Ltd oversees the continually evolving development of innovative gaming machines to operators across four continents. Konami Gaming, Inc. provides comprehensive casino solutions, from video slot gaming products to their cutting-edge Casino Management System. Konami Corporation was founded in 1969 in Tokyo, Japan. Today they have offices across four continents and are universally recognised as one of the most established brands in technological innovation and casino management in the gaming industry.
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THE HOST
A welcome message from the Global Gaming Awards’ host, G2E
THE LEAD PARTNER
An introductory message from the Global Gaming Awards’ Lead Partner, BetConstruct
THE PROCESS
How the award winners are selected, from nomination through to presentation
THE NOMINATION PANEL
The industry experts whose opinions have helped shape the Global Gaming Awards Shortlist
THE JUDGES
The 70-person panel that decides who takes home the Global Gaming Awards honours in 2018
THE ADJUDICATOR
KPMG Isle of Man will be ensuring that the voting process is transparent and fair
Looking back
Were you there in 2017? We take a trip down memory lane to remember last year's GGA Las Vegas
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2017
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LAND-BASED OPERATOR
•Boyd Gaming Corp. •Caesars Entertainment Corporation •Churchill Downs Racetrack •Crown Resorts
DIGITAL OPERATOR •888 Holdings •Bet365 •Golden Nugget •NYRA Bets •Paddy Power Betfair
•Eldorado Resorts •Genting Group •Hard Rock Int. •Las Vegas Sands Corp. •MGM Resorts Int. •William Hill US
•Pala Interactive •PartyGaming •Play Sugar House The Stars Group •World Series of Poker
LAND-BASED PRODUCT •Ainsworth Game Technology •Aristocrat •Aruze Gaming Inc. •GAN •IGT
DIGITAL PRODUCT •BetConstruct •Betsoft Gaming •Colossus Bets •Microgaming •NetEnt
•Interblock •JCM Global •Novomatic •SG Gaming •William Hill
•Kambi Group •SBTech •SG Digital •Sportradar •UltraPlay
CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM •Boyd Gaming Corp. •Caesars Entertainment Corp. •Foxwoods Resort Casino •Galaxy Entertainment •MGM Resorts Int.
•Mohegan Sun •Rymax Marketing Services •Station Casinos •The Venetian •Wynn Resorts
Land-based industry supplier •AGS •Aristocrat Leisure Limited •Aruze Gaming •Everi Holdings •IGT
•Interblock •INTRALOT •Konami Gaming, Inc. •Novomatic •Scientific Games
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digital industry SUPPLIER
•BetConstruct •Greentube •IGT •Kambi •Microgaming
•NetEnt •Playtech •Pragmatic Play •SBTech •SG Digital
product innovation
•Asia Live Tech •Betgenius •Evolution Gaming •FSB •Gamblit Gaming
•Gaming Innovation Group •Helio Gaming •Jackpot Digital •IGT •Play’n GO
responsible business •BMM Testlabs •Caesars Entertainment Corp. •Foxwoods Resort & Casino •Gaming Laboratories International
•GeoComply •Hard Rock Int. •MGM Resorts Int. •Sportradar •William Hill •Wynn Resorts
slot •Aristocrat •Casino Technology •Eclipse Gaming •Euro Games Technology •Greentube
property
•Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa •Casino de Tigre •Foxwoods Resort Casino •Mohegan Sun Casino •Mount Airy CasinoResort
•Konami Gaming, Inc. •Lightning Box •NetEnt •Play’n GO •Scientific Games
•Palms Casino Resort •Reno Resort Casino •Studio City Macau •The Cromwell •Viejas Casino and Resort
american EXECUTIVE
•Renato Ascoli •Joe Asher •Vigen Badalyan •Gary Carano •Barry Cottle
•Matt Davey •Mike Dreitzer •Christie Eickelman •Phyllis Gilland •Ernie Stevens
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We are excited that the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas, powered by Gambling Insider, returns for another year to G2E in Las Vegas. Each year, the anticipation of these Awards grows and the nominees in all of the categories continue to raise the bar. As the gaming industry grows and evolves and innovation is at an all-time high, the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas helps capture this notion with the variety of categories being offered each year. Now in its fifth year, the Awards have quickly become the most trusted awards in the industry and have gained respect among industry heavyweights. The continued success of the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas is superb and the entire G2E Show Management team is delighted to have the event take place during the largest gathering of global, commercial and tribal gaming professionals. The continued increase in both the judging panel and the number of nominations is a true testament to the growth of both the Awards and our industry. Lastly, I wish each nominee the best of luck and extend special thanks to Gambling Insider, the Judging Panel and many dedicated people involved in making the Global Gaming Awards a continued success. Congratulations to every company and individual that has been shortlisted for an Award - it is a tremendous achievement!
KORBI CARRISON Event Director Global Gaming Expo (G2E)
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p l Ay
O n
Konami Gaming, Inc. is constantly pushing the limits of what’s possible so that you can explore the latest ways to increase player engagement. From popular progressive features and proven bonus mechanics to SYNKROSŽ cardless player tracking and new 4K Ultra HD cabinets, Konami provides endless ways to stay connected to what players want most. Come explore the endless possibilities at G2E Booth #1154
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
Vigen Badalyan, CEO of BetConstruct, tells us why BetConstruct is proud to be Lead Sponsor for the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas
Throughout half a decade of its existence, the Global Gaming Awards has grown to become one of the most prestigious and trusted events, respected by industry giants. Being a winner means having a good word put in for oneself not only by the Global Gaming Awards, but Gambling Insider and G2E in association with them. For this very reason, BetConstruct supports the event as a lead partner. The Global Gaming Awards will celebrate gaming and betting in all of its forms across 12 categories, proving the overall success and prominent status of the winners. Here are some reasons as to why we are a fitting partner. The bold decision to open our platform to third-party sportsbooks speaks volumes about our confidence and ultimate vision. Freedom and flexibility are simply the core drivers of BetConstruct’s approach. Creative thinking, close
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collaboration with our partners and peers and unflinching drive to perfection result in moves unconstrained by taboos and conventional thinking. This is how BetConstruct challenges the status quo and helps the industry to challenge itself. We put the choice in the heart of SpringBME, the business management environment, which opens the door to the vast world of gaming and betting products and services with transparent pricing and a growing number of licenses secured from the most reputable gambling authorities. Users of BME can easily purchase a ready-made website from the BME marketplace or request a SpringPro version to have their very own team of bookmakers, risk managers and support. To provide partners with the support they require and give them freedom of product choice, our diversified offering includes both in-house developed products and integration of alternative ones, all with seamless omni-channel access across multiple devices. Welcoming creative minds, we developed SlotBuilder, a platform where anyone can create a slot game based on their authentic and unique ideas and earn their share from the revenues generated by the game. This happens as we promote it and have featured in our casino RNG in addition to 5,000+ games we provide from our own studios and over 60 other suppliers. Helping federations and digital content suppliers turn their videos into a successful business is our FeedConstruct platform. It is designed to be a global marketplace of unique sport and gaming videos for the worldwide buyers willing to find the content they need. It goes without saying that our achievements are of a high importance for us. They come as a huge motivation for BetConstruct, challenging us to push the boundaries and strive for a bigger success. In this case, we do not define success only by profitability. It is also the productive cooperation with our partners and their recognition that we seek for. Their success is directly linked with ours. There is another exciting reason to attend Global Gaming Awards and have a showcase and G2E. Both events are a perfect opportunity to share our expertise, as well as learn from our peers. What is more, we get to meet our existing partners as well as inspire new ones to join the BetConstruct partner family and take advantage of our projects, allowing more independence and flexibility. ď‚ƒ
Vigen Badalyan
Chief Executive Officer, BetConstruct
The Global Gaming Awards are the fairest and most respected in the gaming industry, thanks to the rigorous process undertaken to find the winners. Here’s how we do it
ONLINE SELF NOMINATIONS OPEN
Gaming companies wishing to be considered for an Award put themselves forward
SHORTLIST MAGAZINE
NOMINATION PANEL The Nomination Panel adds their own Shortlist suggestions, and helps to narrow the number of nominees down to 10 in each category
JUDGING BEGINS
The official Global Gaming Awards Shortlist is announced, published in both digital and printed formats and distributed worldwide
The Judging Panel, comprised of 70 senior executives, votes in each category
VOTES APPROVED
PRESENTATION CEREMONY
Votes are counted, verified and approved by KPMG Isle of Man
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The nominees with the most votes are revealed and crowned Award winners at the prestigious ceremony at G2E
WE ARE
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Johan Tornqvist, CEO
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018 2015 NOMINATIONS PANEL
A total of eight industry experts kindly agreed to play a part in deciding which nominees should make the coveted Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas Shortlist. We thank all the panellists for their contributions, as we profile each one here
Oliver Lovat is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, specialising in developing strategies for real estate and customer-facing, asset-backed businesses. He consults for leading gaming companies and is visiting faculty and lecturer on Strategy at Cass Business School. He is the author of published Academic papers on “Strategic Competitive Advantage within Casino Resorts” and “Behaviours and Attitudes of Millennials in Las Vegas” and is a frequent lecturer, advisor and speaker at industry conferences and seminars, and writes for various publications. He is based in Las Vegas.
AKIYOSHI TSURUOKA
General Manager Gaming Capital Management
Victor Rocha is the Owner and Editor of tribal gaming resource, Pechanga.net. He created the site after realising that there was no such offering available for those interested in the politics of gaming. Rocha has been covering tribal gaming since 1998, and over the past 15 years has developed and enhanced his reputation as one of the most passionate followers and supporters of tribal gaming issues.
ALEX PRATT
Managing Director iGaming Business
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OLIVER LOVAT
Managing Director Denstone REA
After working for a slot machine manufacturer, Akiyoshi Tsuruoka moved into journalism, a career which has seen him report on the global casino sector and attend gaming industry exhibitions across the world for more than 10 years. His work also covers Japanese politics as an expert in Japanese Integrated Resorts. He contributes articles to domestic and foreign publications and also reports analytics for economic impact and legal structure of Japanese IR.
VICTOR ROCHA
Owner/Editor Pechanga.net
Alex Pratt has worked for iGaming Business for 14 years, originally starting as the advertising manager for iGaming Business Magazine. He launched the iGB Affiliate Magazine and Events in addition to iGaming Business’ information and research offerings, and North American products. Following the acquisition of the business by Clarion Gaming, his role has expanded into managing the Affiliate Summit series of events as well as the publishing and digital products within Clarion Gaming.
THE JUDGES GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018 2015
Michael Corfman is CEO of Casino City and executive director of the GPWA (Gambling Portal Webmasters Association).He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before co founding Casino City’s parent company in 1990, he worked for 15 years in a variety of software development and management roles. The Casino City website was launched in 1995 and today is the most complete and comprehensive directory of both online gambling sites and land-based gaming facilities on the web, and one of the most well-known gaming affiliate sites in the world, with millions of visitors annually. Today the CasinoCityTimes.com website houses nearly 100,000 gaming industry news and strategy articles, the largest such archive in the world.
FRANK FANTINI CEO Fantini Research
Mr. Rosenberg has 17 years of online gaming industry experience and has provided expertise and strategic solutions to over 50 gaming operations in the Caribbean, United States and Europe. In addition to operational consulting, Jason has provided expert market and operations-led insights to help bridge the gap between land-based casino operators, regulatory commissions and gaming industry service providers across the world. Mr. Rosenberg specialises in vendor selection, next generation technology, product launch strategy, operational strategy, day-to-day marketing and operations, as well as customised player acquisition, conversion, and retention programs. He has developed and presented key content for leading industry conferences and publications. Jason attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and majored in Genetics and Cell Biology. In his spare time, Jason has been of service at Wolf Mountain Sanctuary, a non-profit Native American owned animal rescue since 2000.
TAL ITZHAK RON Chairman & CEO Tal Ron, Drihem & Co., Law Firm
MICHAEL CORFMAN CEO Casino City
Frank Fantini, CEO of Fantini Research and publisher of Fantini’s Gaming Report, started his company in late 1999. Fantini began his career as a newspaperman reporter, going on to become an editor and later a publisher. He has been a life-long investor and first became attracted to the gaming industry back in 1995 when he started investing in gaming stock, beginning his long-standing career as an industry veteran.
JASON ROSENBERG
CEO American iGaming Solutions
Advocate and Notary Tal Itzhak Ron – LLB, BSc, MSc, International Master of Gaming Law (IMGL), is a Financial Entertainment, i-Gaming and Crypto veteran, working with the biggest names in online gaming and financial trading since 2003. Tal graduated from Haifa University School of Law and Faculty of Computer Science in 2001, and while working as a software developer at the publicly-traded software company Ness Technologies, has further obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Bar Ilan University in 2006. Tal founded Tal Ron, Drihem & Co., Law Firm 15 years ago, focusing from its start on Online Gaming, Fintech, Hitech, and Adtech, quickly becoming one of the first international firms focusing solely on these areas and one of the best known names on the market. His firm today advises the world leading operations, affiliates, platforms and governing bodies in Europe and Asia, and is considered the first point of contact for entrepreneurs setting up and optimizing their operations in the online space.
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MEET THE JUDGES
Here are the industry senior executives and gaming analysts that make up the Judging Panel who will be deciding the winners of this year’s Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas
The final stage, and arguably the most important, of the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas is put into the hands of our esteemed Judging Panel. Following the conclusion of the nomination and Shortlist-compiling elements of the Awards process, the judges will determine who will be crowned winners in each of the 12 prestigious categories. Each member of the Judging Panel has one vote in every category in which they or their company is nominated. Judges are only allowed to vote for one winner and one runner-up in each category, and they must vote in every single category that they are obliged to do so. Once every judge has voted, all votes will be counted and used to determine the winners. The judges’ votes, and only the judges’ votes, will determine who will be crowned the winners of the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas 2018. The votes will be collected and independently verified by KPMG Isle of Man, with the winners being announced at the Awards Ceremony at the Sands
Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas on 8 October, offering the perfect way to kick-off G2E. Now in its fifth year, the Awards will be decided by the largest judging panel the event has seen so far, with 70 of the industry’s leading executives casting their votes. This year’s line-up as always boasts executives from some of the industry’s most successful companies. It is without doubt the most knowledgeable, experienced, powerful and authoritative in the history of gaming industry awards. The panel includes: Danny Gladstone, CEO, Ainsworth Game Technology, John Connelly, CEO, Interblock, Antonios Kerastaris, CEO, Intralot, Renato Ascoli, CEO, IGT North America, and many more. Among the new entrants to the judging panel this year are Barry Cottle, CEO & President, Scientific Games, Alan Feldman, Executive Vice President Global Corporate Communications & Industry Affairs, MGM Resorts International, and
Christian Stuart, Executive Vice President, Caesars Entertainment Corporation. The size and prestigious nature of the Judging Panel, coupled with the independent nature of the voting process, make the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas 2018 the most comprehensive and legitimate honours spanning the land-based and digital gaming sectors. Any product, company or individual that passes through the rigorous nominations process and makes it onto the final Shortlist should consider this a creditworthy achievement in its own right, with victory being the ultimate acknowledgement of excellence from your peers. To each and every judge, thank you again for your contribution to the judging process of the most important accolades in the gaming industry today. We value your time, judgement and input immensely, and are looking forward to seeing who you will be crowning winners at this year’s Awards.
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LEADING INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES
HARALD NEUMANN CEO Novomatic
JOHN CONNELLY CEO Interblock
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BILL LERNER
DANNY GLADSTONE
DAVID COLVIN CEO Gaming Arts
CEO American Gaming Systems
JOSEPH PAPPANO
CHRIS HARRISON
MATT DAVEY
FINBARR O'MAHONY
Principal Union Gaming Group
SVP and Managing Director Vantiv
CEO Ainsworth Game Technology
Industry Head Google
CEO SG Digital
DAVID LOPEZ
Head of Real Money Gaming Facebook
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
CHARLES GILLESPIE CEO Gambling.com Group
CHAD HOEHNE CEO Casino Trac
CRISTINA ROMERO DE ALBA
DARIY MARGARITOV Founder UltraPlay
Global Chief Officer Aruze
Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer Pinnacle Entertainment
JENNIFER INNES
KENT YOUNG
KIRK SANFORD
KOSTANDINA ZAFIROVSKA
Partner LOYRA
Managing Director Betting Jobs
CEO & Founder Spin Games
CEO Sightline Payments
GINNY SHANKS
ITAI FRIEBERGER CEO 888 Holdings
MADIS JÄÄGER
CEO BtoBet
CEO & Chairman of the Management Board Olympic Entertainment Group
CARSTEN KOERL
MICHAEL DARLEY CEO Next Gaming
President The Innovation Group
Gambling and Casinos Professional
MICKI OSTER
MOR WEIZER
RANDY KNUST
BERNARD MARANTELLI
RENATO ASCOLI
RICHARD CARTER CEO SBTech
RICK MEITZLER
CEO Novomatic Americas
ROBIN Le PREVOST
ROGER RAATGEVER
SHEILA MORAGO
SUREN KHACHATRYAN
TINO MAGNATTA
TOM GREGORY
TOM WUCHERER
CEO & Founder Sportradar
CEO & Founder Colossus Bets
BEN LEE
Managing Partner iGamiX
CEO IGT North America
Executive Director Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association
MICHAEL SOLL
ERIC PERSSON
CEO Digitain
Founder GT Advertising
CEO Playtech
CEO Le Prevost Consultancy
Gaming Industry Payment Consultant
President Genesis Gaming Solutions, Inc.
Executive Chairman Apricot Investments
CEO YWS
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TREVOR CROKER
TRISTAN SJOBERG
VALERIE SPICER
VIGEN BADALYAN
VLADIMIR DOKOV Managing Director EGT
Executive Vice President Caesars Entertainment Corporation
WARREN JACOBS
CEO Aristocrat
Executive Chairman TCS John Huxley
Founding Partner Trilogy Group
CEO BetConstruct
CHRISTIAN STUART
Managing Director & Partner ActiveWin
DERMOT SMURFIT
CEO GameAccount Network
KRISTIAN NYLEN
THERESE HILLMAN
WALTER BUGNO
AIDEEN SHORTT
STEPHEN WARNER
ELAINE HODGSON
EVE KOLAKOWSKI
BARRY COTTLE
RON FRANKEL
AKIKO TAKAHASHI
JOHN COLEMAN
ABHINAY BHAGAVATULA
MICHAEL DEJONG SVP of Slot Ops & Marketing Wynn Las Vegas
STACY PAPADOPOULOS
Interim CEO, General Counsel and SVP of Industry Services, American Gaming Associtation Association
ANNA SAINSBURY Chairman & Founder GeoComply
Executive Vice President Global Corporate Cummunications & Industry Affairs MGM Resorts International
MICHAEL D. RUMBOLZ
IGOR KREZIC
GEORG WASHINGTON
DAVID MCDOWELL
ANTONIOS KERASTARIS
COO & Founder ACS PlayOn
CEO Microgaming
JOHN UNWIN
CEO The Drew Las Vegas
CEO/President Incredible Tech
Vice President, Engineering & Products Eclipse Gaming
President & Chief Executive Officer, Everi Holdings
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CEO Kambi
COO/President Rymax
Founder & CEO NSoft
CEO NetEnt
CEO & President Scientific Games
CEO Synergy Blue
CEO IGT International
CEO VizExplorer
CEO FSB Technology
Partner Consultant Random Consulting
EVP & Chief Officer, HR/Corporate Social Responsibility Melco Crown Entertainment
ALAN FELDMAN
CEO Intralot
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
In keeping with previous years, KPMG is ensuring full transparency at this year’s Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas by independently adjudicating the Awards. Micky Swindale, KPMG Partner, talks us through the process A marker of the legitimacy of any awards ceremony is having a clear, fair selection. The Global Gaming Awards team came to us when planning the approach to the first Awards in 2014, and said they wanted the Awards to be externally adjudicated to make it clear that they, as organisers, had no inf luence over the voting process and that the winners would truly be best-in-class in the opinion of their peers in the land-based and digital sectors. We therefore designed a process where we review the GGA’s system and tools for collecting votes (and ensuring judges cannot vote in categories where they have a conf lict), check that the winner and runner-up in each category has been determined correctly based on votes cast, and select a random sample of judges whom we contact to check that the votes recorded for them in the system are a complete and accurate ref lection of their voting. Once on the ground in Las Vegas, we do a final check of the engraved Awards against our own record of category winners, and we attend and participate in the Awards ceremony to ensure that the right recipient is announced and presented with each Award. I am delighted that I will be joined at this year’s ceremony by members of KPMG’s global gaming team, including several US-based colleagues. The gaming sector is very important to KPMG, as ref lected in our eGaming Summits series across our key gaming geographies each year and our #WeAllWantToPlay initiative to support diversity in the sector. We welcome the opportunity to support the Global Gaming Awards. The combination of a thorough selection process, a highly distinguished panel of judges, and the organiser’s commitment to independent verification of the judges’ decisions, means that any company or individual that makes it to the final Shortlist should be extremely proud of their achievements. The Global Gaming Awards thanks KPMG Isle of Man for its adjudication of the 2018 Las Vegas Awards
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LOOKING BACK
Taking a quick trip down memory lane to the 2017 Global Gaming Awards, we reflect on last year’s winners of the most prestigious Awards in gaming
The 2017 Global Gaming Awards saw gaming industry professionals gather from around the world to the Venetian Ballroom for a day of celebrations and Awards. Over 500 people had the pleasure of spending an afternoon eating, relaxing and making new connections. Most importantly, they also had the opportunity to celebrate both their own and others’ achievements over the previous year. Last year’s Awards were held at the stunning Venetian ballroom and went through the same nomination, short listing, and judging procedure as this year’s Awards. In what was an extremely competitive year, supplier IGT managed to steal the show with its two Award wins. The USbased supplier took home the Awards for both Land-Based Product of the Year for Cardless Connect, and Land-Based Gaming Innovation of the year for its SPHINX 4D, which was described as a “game changer,” with supplier Scientific Games' WILLY WONKA GOLDEN TICKET coming second. IGT then had the roles reversed, as it was runner-up to Scientific Games in the Land-Based Industry Supplier of the Year category. Other notable winners included Wynn Resorts, which took home the Award for Land-Based Operator of the Year, beating MGM Resorts International and Hard Rock International for the prestigious accolade.
European-founded brands dominated the Digital Operator of the Year category, with Bet365 coming in first place and Paddy Power Betfair coming in second. Evolution Gaming received the award for Digital Product of the Year for its innovative live gaming product that took the world by storm; Dream Catcher. The game, which proved incredibly popular with players, managed to beat off competition from Sightline Payments’ Play+ product and Scientific Games’ Secret Santa Second-Chance Drawings. MGM Resorts took home the prize for Customer Loyalty Program of the Year for its legendary M life Rewards. Fellow American operator Caesars Entertainment came second with its Total Rewards program, with Station Casinos taking third place with its MyBoardingPass program. One of the most hotly contested categories in 2017 was the Award for the best Digital Acquisition Program of the Year. Leading the pack of impressive programs for the year was LeoVegas Affiliates. Its brand performance and impressive feedback from partners helped it see off fierce competition from eventual runners-up Ladbrokes Partners. With both operator programs and affiliates competing in this category, Betway Partners could still take great pride in its third place spot. Celebrating the advancements in digital gaming, the Digital Industry Supplier of the Year Award acknowledged
the incredible work NYX Gaming Group had undertaken during an incredibly successful 12 months. Playtech, the winner of the Award in 2016, had to settle for second place, with the Malta Gaming Authority placing in third. One of the hardest categories to judge in 2017 was without doubt the Award for Digital Gaming Innovation of the Year. In a field where so many companies are making innovative strides, it was Betgenius with its eSports trading product that won the judges over, beating Quickspin and its forward-thinking Achievements Engine, as well as Bit8’s highly-praised Lotto Hero product. The Responsible Business of the Year category celebrates companies that have gone the extra mile in upholding their commitment to acting responsibly across all areas of their operation. Sports and data services supplier Sportradar managed to come out on top. The company’s tireless efforts to identify and prevent suspicious betting activities and its role in stamping out match-fixing saw it pip geolocation supplier GeoComply for the honour. In the European Executive category, supplier Playtech’s Mor Weizer came out on top, thanks to his ability to deliver growth along with his leadership skills during a period in which Playtech entered into various new markets. Let’s now wait and see which companies take home the most important accolades in gaming from 2018’s ceremony. GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM 21
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
LAND-BASED OPERATOR SPONSORED BY
Boyd Gaming Corporation
Genting Group
Caesars Entertainment Corporation
Hard Rock International
Churchill Downs Incorporated
Las Vegas Sands Corporation
Crown Resorts
MGM Resorts International
Eldorado Resorts
William Hill US
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
Launching this year’s Global Gaming Awards is a category that, as in previous years, leaves judges with an exceptionally difficult choice. Land-Based Operator of the Year looks to recognise the achievements of casino operators around the world who have not only excelled in terms of financial performance, but led the pack with regards to innovation and enhancement. This year, plenty have done just that. In many ways, land-based venues are considered the backbone of the global gaming industry, and we can once again see a number of prestigious operators from around the world have maintained the highest standards throughout the last 12 months. It has been a landmark year for the future of land-based operators in the US, with the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) paving the way for regulated sports betting in the gaming-heavy nation. The news ensures 2019 will be a hugely important year for the industry, and those competing for Land-Based Operator of the Year in 2018 are likely to benefit from their hard-earned success within the new sports betting climate. The pedigree of this Award is underlined by its sponsor -IGT - an extremely reputable name within gaming that has itself been nominated for five separate categories this year. The Award has so far produced two very prestigious winners, with Wynn Resorts triumphing last year and MGM Resorts International claiming a hat-trick of titles between 2014 and 2016. If anyone knows how to win the Award, then, it’s three-time recipient MGM Resorts, which has been nominated again this year. The company operates hotels and casinos around the world, encompassing 28 unique hotel offerings. In 2018, MGM Cotai in Macau and the first Bellagiobranded hotel in Shanghai opened for business. MGM Springfield, meanwhile, is still in development. The operator is now gearing up to launch sports betting services in the US, after partnering with GVC Holdings. Our next nominee is no stranger to prestige either in Boyd Gaming Corporation. Boyd owns and operates 24 gaming properties across seven US states and further diversified this year by purchasing a distributed gaming operation in Illinois. Boyd announced revenue of $616.8m for Q2 2018, up 2% on last year, and is well positioned to offer sports betting in the US after
What they said: Thanks to a series of recent acquisitions, partnerships and investments, Boyd Gaming is well-positioned for future growth as gaming expands and diversifies across the US - Boyd Gaming
Caesars Entertainment is the most geographically diverse casino-entertainment company, with more than 50 destinations in 13 US states and five countries - Caesars Entertainment
partnering with online operator FanDuel. Founded just over 80 years ago, Caesars Entertainment Corporation continues to utilise both its rich history as an operator and its diverse footprint within the industry. The operator owns over 50 hotels, resorts and casinos across five countries, including nine integrated resorts in Las Vegas. Looking outward, Caesars is also committed to investing in Japan as a long-term partner, to become a community leader and operate a world-class “Japanese Entertainment Resort.” Representing racing’s rich heritage, Churchill Downs Incorporated has enjoyed a fruitful 12 months. The track announced in May that it will be entering the online sports betting sector in the US through two new partnership
agreements with SBTech and the Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel, Casino & Marina. Focusing on its bread and butter, though, Churchill Downs has maintained its position as the premier racetrack in the US through its hosting of the Kentucky Derby. The track’s net revenue grew 11% in 2017, up to $178.9m. The Global Gaming Awards being worldwide in nature, our next nominee hails roughly 9,500 miles outside the US – in Australia. One of the country’s largest gaming operators, Crown Resorts, wholly owns two leading integrated resorts in Crown Melbourne Entertainment Complex and Crown Perth Entertainment Complex. The company pursues ventures outside Australia too, owning Crown Aspinalls GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM 23
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
in London, but has made efforts to realign its business interests, including the sale of a parcel of land in Las Vegas for $370m. Crown recently reported healthy full-year results, including net profit after tax of A$326.7m (US$242m) and an 81.8% growth of its digital division, as online social gaming operations generated A$26.9m. Nominated for the second time in a row, success has not been hard to come by for Eldorado Resorts in recent years. The owner of 20 properties across the US, Eldorado is a family-owned business with a strong national presence. The company expanded in 2018 by agreeing to acquire Tropicana Entertainment for approximately $1.85bn. This will grant Eldorado the operating assets to seven more casinos across six states, including two in Nevada. Another operator following on from their nomination last year is Hard Rock International. Hard Rock casinos can be found across North America, including locations in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Vancouver, while the company recently announced plans to build a new gaming resort in Yuba County, California. This is part of a partnership with the Enterprise Rancheria Indian tribe and is expected to open in October 2019 for an estimated $440m. Boasting a truly global portfolio, Genting Group operates casino resorts in Malaysia, Singapore, the Bahamas,
AWARD SPONSOR IGT is the global leader in gaming. The supplier enables players to experience their favourite games across all channels and regulated segments, from gaming machines and lotteries to interactive and social gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play
the Philippines, the US and the UK. The group is now well positioned to apply for a licence in Japan, having already set up subsidiaries in the country. Group revenue rose by 9% to RM20bn ($4.9bn) in 2017, while Genting reported net profit of S$177.6m (US$129.9m) in Singapore for Q2 2018. Las Vegas Sands Corporation has enjoyed a strong showing over the last 12 months, improving its consolidated net revenue year-on-year for Q2 2018 by 6% to $3.3bn. The operator’s reach includes resorts from Las Vegas and Pennsylvania to Macau and Singapore. The company’s net income in Q2 was also up 5.8% to $676m and its future plans mean there are no signs of stopping there. Indeed, LVS is
planning the redevelopment of the Sands China Cotai Central to become the Londoner Macao. Finally, debutant William Hill US completes a glittering field. The operator will be looking to make its mark in the category, having firmly laid the foundations to make its mark within US gaming. When the Supreme Court ruled on 14 May that PASPA was unconstitutional, William Hill was ready to begin turnkey operations in New Jersey and Delaware. In addition, it is now the largest sportsbook operator in Nevada, controlling 55%of the state’s locations. William Hill has a presence in Iowa as well, and is well placed to work in new states as and when sports betting becomes regulated.
What they said: Las Vegas Sands develops and operates pioneering and iconic integrated resorts that deliver extraordinary experiences and services to guests, innovation in the hospitality industry, a first-class working environment for our team members and positive social impact to the regions we serve - Las Vegas Sands
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From land-based content and cabinets, to digital, sports betting and systems innovations, IGT is Your Best Bet. You’re invited to tour hundreds of next-gen IGT solutions in booth #3659.
© 2018 IGT Except where ownership is otherwise identified, the trademarks used herein are owned by IGT or its affiliates, may not be used without permission, and where indicated with a ®, are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Artwork, descriptions, game play, photographs, videos, and other product details depicted herein are subject to change. IGT is committed to socially responsible gaming. Our business solutions empower customers to choose parameters and practices that become the foundation of their Responsible Gaming programs.
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
DIGITAL OPERATOR SPONSORED BY
888 Holdings
Pala Interactive
Bet365
PartyGaming
Golden Nugget
Play SugarHouse
NYRA Bets
The Stars Group
Paddy Power Betfair
World Series of Poker
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
What they said: “The Stars Group is a leading provider of technologybased products and services in the global gaming and interactive entertainment industries. Stars brands together have millions of registered customers and collectively form the largest poker business in the world, comprising online poker games and tournaments. “ - Stars Group Following a year of both major challenges and opportunities in 2017, the digital gaming market has continued to strengthen in 2018. The industry’s magnitude just can’t be ignored; being valued at $41.78bn by the end of 2016, it is projected to hit the $80bn mark by the end of 2020. That’s why this year’s Digital Operator of the Year will need to have achieved something truly special over the past 12 months to make them stand out in a very crowded and competitive market place. The award, sponsored by supplier NetEnt for the fourth year running, covers the entirety of the online sector, recognising those companies which are driving forward the dynamic and rapidlyevolving gaming industry. A staggering 11% of total internet traffic now stems from online casino players, while the UK’s remote gambling sector alone has seen a 300% increase since 2014’s new legislation, reaching nearly $6.7bn by the end of last year. The global gaming industry hit a record-breaking $107bn in 2017; more than spending on film and music for the year combined. A key factor is the successful migration from console to mobile, with mobile gaming becoming the fastest-growing platform in the industry, making up nearly 45% of the market. Digital operators now have an abundance of avenues to engage customers, be it through poker, casino, virtual sports or many more. And, just like in the Land-Based Operator of the Year category, digital operators will
also benefit from the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), with US states now able to regulate legalised sports betting. Across the world, the impact of sports betting was felt more than usual in 2018 thanks to the Fifa World Cup, with football governing body’s analysis of the tournament revealing a worldwide betting turnover of $136bn. However, all of the above equally serves to demonstrate just how competitive digital gaming has become, not to mention the challenges posed by regulation and compliance in an industry where player protection is absolutely crucial. This ensures 2018’s Shortlist, which boasts both of the previous winners of the Award, is filled with the worthiest of nominees. Last year’s recipient, Bet365, also triumphed in 2015 and is the world’s largest digital operator. For the year ending 26 March 2017, the company earned revenue of £2.28bn. The UKbased bookmaker holds strong positions in markets across the world and its website, Bet365.com, is ranked inside the top 250 globally visited sites by Alexa. Moreover, Bet365 has made its US intentions clear by announcing a sports betting partnership with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Another company looking to claim its third Digital Operator of the year Award is 888 Holdings, which triumphed both in 2014 and 2016. 888 enjoyed a successful year in 2017, growing its B2C revenue from $521m to $542m. A particular
improvement was made in sports-based operations, which grew 45% to $75.5m. The launch of 888’s Italian poker site, 888poker.it, came in January and the operator has also selected Evolution Live Casino for its push into the New Jersey online gaming market. The Stars Group is yet to win this Award, but the nominee can benefit from the fact its brand came extremely close on two separate occasions. Indeed, PokerStars, now operated by the Stars Group, was runner-up in this category in 2014 and 2015. It has been a landmark year for the operator, with the Stars Group agreeing a deal to purchase online operator Sky Betting & Gaming in a deal worth $4.7bn. This adds to a business that already boasts a dominant foothold in the online poker market through PokerStars. The brand is one of the leading online gaming operators in New Jersey, having launched in the market in 2016. Another nominee enjoying success in New Jersey’s regulated digital gaming market, Golden Nugget, has grown to become the state’s market leader in generated revenue, earning $68.6m in 2017. The operator could be well positioned for online sports betting in the US through its partnership with supplier SBTech. As part of the deal, a bespoke front-end has been designed specifically for Golden Nugget Casinos. Representing the racing sector, NYRA Bets already has a strong footing in the US sports betting market. The company has been operating at racetracks in the US since 2016, with the New York GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM 27
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
Racing Association itself founded in 1955. Following the launch of NYRA Bets at the Saratoga Race Course, it now operates in 29 different states. From already established in the US to a leading UK-based operator looking to stamp its mark on the US, Paddy Power Betfair (and previously Paddy Power) is an ever-present nominee in this category. The group further cemented its position in the US earlier this year with its agreement to purchase daily fantasy sports operator FanDuel. The deal, which was completed in July, was worth $612m in PPB’s existing assets and $158m in cash. This has primed the operator for the US sports betting market, giving it access to a database of millions of players. Returning to New Jersey, Pala Interactive is another nominated operator with a foothold in the state’s digital casino market. The online, social and real money gaming software development company has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2013. Meanwhile, Pala’s position in the market was enhanced with the launch of Pala Poker in 2017. PartyGaming has been active in the regulated US market since launching PartyCasino and PartyPoker in New Jersey in 2013. PartyGaming’s owner, GVC Holdings, has partnered with MGM Resorts International to launch land-based and online sports betting in up to 15 US states. The joint venture will allow PartyPoker to develop a sports betting arm. Elsewhere, Play Sugar House is in the unique position of having helped a fellow nominee in license partner Golden Nugget. Indeed, the operator has been successful in the New Jersey market and boosted Golden Nugget’s monthly online gaming revenue from $3.5m to $8.5m in the space of just two years. By gamifying bonus schemes, offering monthly promotions and implementing an aggressive gamelaunch strategy, Play Sugar House has made a significant breakthrough in a well-populated market. Completing our Shortlist is one of the biggest names in poker. It may be a firsttime nominee, but this year saw a revival for the World Series of Poker, with the 49th iteration of the event attracting a record 123,865 entrants from a total of 78 events. This was helped considerably by the number of satellite qualifiers from WSOP.com. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment, WSOP.com is one of the most recognisable online gaming brands in Nevada. 28 GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM
What they said: As one of the most diversified and regulated operators in the online industry, 888 holds licenses across 10 regulated jurisdictions with more to come - 888 Holdings
“WSOP.com, the World Series of Poker’s online real-money poker mobile and web product, saw satellite revenue grow 57% year-on-year and multi-table tournament revenue grow 32% year-on-year during the 2018 event - World Series of Poker
AWARD SPONSOR NETENT is a leading digital entertainment company, providing premium gaming solutions to the world’s most successful online casino operators. Since its inception in 1996, NetEnt has been a true pioneer in driving the market with thrilling games powered by a cutting-edge platform. NetEnt is committed to helping customers stay ahead of the competition, is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm (NET-B) and employs more than 700 people in Stockholm, Malta, Kiev, Gothenburg, Gibraltar and New Jersey, USA
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
LAND-BASED PRODUCT SPONSORED BY
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
Ainsworth Game Technology – EVO Aristocrat – Lightning Link Aruze Gaming Inc. – Cube-X Innovator Deluxe GAN - GameSTACK™ IGT - PlayShot Interblock – Pulse Arena JCM Global - iVIZION Bill Validator Novomatic - Otium OT300 SG Gaming – 88 Fortunes William Hill – Monmouth Park Sportsbook Technology is one of the main differentiators in the modern-day casino offering, so it’s no surprise that the LandBased Product of the Year category is one of the Global Gaming Awards’ most varied. Any product can be nominated if it improves the experience of the player or the ability to run the casino for the operator. Indeed, far from being limited to
just games, this Award is open to any piece of equipment, technology or feature that has played a part in enhancing the overall land-based casino experience. Some industry providers specialise in certain technological aspects of the modern casino, whereas others offer a range of varied products that knit together to satisfy all or part of a casino operator’s
needs. This is reflected in the Shortlist, where we find some of the giants of the casino game and cabinet technology supplier market competing alongside products created to ease the ability of casinos to offer those games to gamblers. The products include casino management software, in-casino apps and games and payments facilitators. What is testament to the host of LandBased Products on show is the fact that non-remote betting has seen a strong improvement in recent years, despite the rise and rise of online gaming. While bettors are embracing the digital age, they are still enjoying the experience of visiting non-remote betting outlets. The simple reason? Suppliers and operators are providing them with high-quality products and high-quality experiences. The first nominee is the reigning champion, IGT. This year, the supplier has been nominated for its PlayShot offering. Powering land-based and mobile sports betting at 10 Nevada-based mega-resorts, the PlayShot sports betting solution continues to gain momentum. The platform powered some of the first sports wagers in New Jersey and Mississippi and is poised for expansion within the US market. Following IGT is Aristocrat with Lightning Link; a set of linked games that attract players of all levels. Lightning Link’s innovative bonus rounds have had such an impact that they’ve inspired other manufacturers to follow suit. Just a little more than 12 months since the product launched in Mexico, Lightning Link is now one of the most popular casino games in the Mexican market. We move from Mexico to Australia for our next nominee, with Ainsworth Game Technology debuting its new EVO cabinet in 2017. The product boasts dual 24inch LCD screens, a black trim surface, pinstripe-edge and dynamic game-driven lighting. Since its launch, the EVO cabinet was released to the Australasian markets and has already made a big impact on the Asia-Pacific region. Aruze Gaming Inc. was nominated for its Cube-X Innovator Deluxe last year and the Las Vegas-based supplier returns to the Shortlist with Xtreme Dragon’s Fortune. The product expands the bounds of destiny with its wheel of riches. During any one game, the reel format randomly expands up to nine symbols high, raising the number of valid paylines to 120. The game also features a bonus wheel that can result in credit awards, 20 free games, or one of four progressives, with reset values available ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM 31
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
What they said: IGT took the lead in US sports betting, extending its presence to 15-plus casinos across Nevada, Mississippi and New Jersey, and secured a significant partnership with leading sports betting brand FanDuel. IGT’s US market-ready B2B platform enables reliable in-casino bets, and mobile wagers via the PlaySpot solution. - IGT
Staying within the US, GAN has made waves over the last 12 months with GameSTACK™. GameSTACK™ is principally licensed to land-based US casino operators as a turnkey technology solution for both regulated real-money and virtual simulated gaming. The nimble platform is able to quickly and seamlessly integrate with external best-in-breed service providers across content, age verification, payments and more. A debutant for the Land-Based Product of the Year Award, Interblock has been nominated for its Pulse Arena. The product is a fully customisable, multi-game stadium that uses lights, music and live dealers to create an elevated gaming destination. From a single-play station, players can seamlessly toggle between up to four games at a time. Interblock has signed a number of important deals with properties around the US, including the likes of JACK Entertainment and Foxwoods – but has also expanded to the Sun Monticello Casino in Chile. Joining Interblock as first-time nominees in the Land-Based Product category (but similarly enjoying a previous nomination for Casino Product) is JCM Global. The supplier’s shot at success this time comes in the form of the iVIZION Bill Validator. The 32 GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM
product combines a 99%+ acceptance rate with contact image sensor technology that sees the entire front and back of a note or ticket. The technology scans 75 times more data points than any competing product and captures the full image of a banknote or ticket, leaving operators with only the highest level of security. NOVOMATIC is represented this year by its Otium OT300. Gaining market share since its launch at G2E in 2017, notably in Mexico, the OT300 cabinet powers top video bingo performance. Featuring excellent graphics and fun animations across two screens and an optional topper, this cabinet is now fully compatible with TITO and provides a range of games, progressives, mystery and community jackpots. After its nomination for WILLY WONKA GOLDEN TICKET™ at the 2017 Global Gaming Awards, SG Gaming returns with 88 Fortunes. Building on the successful original 88 Fortunes game comes the newer version showcased on the TwinStar 3RM. This innovative cabinet features a dynamic, new reel mechanism with full RGB LED backlights, LED reel dividers and bezel lighting that showcases the Asian-themed product. 88 Fortunes is a three-reel, 27 ways-to-win game that incorporates the popular ‘All Up’
betting pattern where the more Gold symbols played, the greater your chance of winning jackpots. Completing the Shortlist, we have William Hill and its Monmouth Park Sportsbook. During the first 17 days of operations, the Monmouth Park Sportsbook generated a total handle of just over $8m. Not looking to rest on its laurels, however, William Hill followed this up by offering a “Grand Slam” crossover wager on three races at the venue, creating an innovative betting opportunity for punters when mixing sports betting and horseracing betting.
AWARD SPONSOR EVOLUTION GAMING is the world’s leading provider of Live Casino solutions with unrivalled Live Casino studio facilities and operational know-how for online and land-based operators.
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
DIGITAL PRODUCT SPONSORED BY
BetConstruct - Sportsbook
Kambi Group - Sportsbook
Betsoft Gaming - Vaultâ„¢
SBTech - Sportsbook
Colossus Bets - Colossus Syndicates
SG Digital - OpenBet
Microgaming Jurassic World
Sportradar - Virtual Sports
NetEnt - Live Beyond Live
UltraPlay - ODDS.gg
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
Similar to its land-based counterpart, the Digital Product of the Year Award covers any feature or innovation that has improved the sector over the past 12 months. Nominees in this category can include any vertical in the online space, and this does not just cover games. Whether it’s a payment management system or a hardware development, nothing in the interactive space is discounted. This year has seen an acceleration in the rise of online gaming. Smartphone usage has never been higher, with over 3 billion users projected over the next 10 years. Of all internet traffic, meanwhile, 11% comes just from online casino players. The opportunities for digital operators to expand into this market have never been more self-evident. The quality of the shortlist for Digital Product of the Year is as high as ever, with a pantheon of the industry’s most recognisable and financially successful companies shortlisted either for introducing new and successful products into the market, or an existing offering that continues to take the market by storm. The quality of the final Shortlist is truly indicative of not only the strength and depth of digital products available in the online gaming industry, but also the spirited rivalry that exists between online gaming firms. In addition to slots, several online sportsbooks have been recognised Sports betting is an undeniably huge portion of online gaming. With suppliers continuing to launch evermore sophisticated platforms for operators that offer players the best service in terms of product and range of markets, the rate of growth only looks like increasing. The repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, meanwhile, has opened up a wealth of new opportunities in the US. Many companies that have featured in this Shortlist are likely to be key players in the US sports betting market in the years to come. This is largely thanks to pre-emptive work already being carried out in creating partnerships and developing turnkey technology. Other nominees this year come from the fields of virtual games and esports, demonstrating the growth and promise these technology-based sectors have to offer. Returning to the list this year is Microgaming. The supplier took home the 2016 award with Quickfire, retaining the prize it won in 2015 with Jurassic Park. This time, Microgaming continues a
regular theme with Jurassic World. The product remains true to the original Jurassic Park with its 5x3 reel slot format, while adding many new features, such as randomly triggered events and unique free spin rounds. The game, available on tablets, mobiles and desktop devices, is live with over 400 brands and, like its predecessor, comes with impressive bonus features. Next up is BetConstruct, the first of four suppliers nominated for its sportsbook. The BetConstruct sportsbook provides coverage of over 55,000 pre-match events each month, featuring around 1,400 competitions annually. Deployed worldwide in retail, desktop, mobile, native iOS and Android environments, it enables a seamless experience with dynamic odds, multiple languages, multiple currencies, complete stats for regional and local matches, payment systems integration and, last but not least, live video streaming.
One of the suppliers rivalling BetConstruct is Kambi Group. Kambi’s data-led sportsbook provides a strong user experience and allows customers to enable important customer-facing elements. The company has secured two US-based customer deals with DraftKings and Rush Street Interactive, in addition to extending long-term partnerships with Mr Green and Kindred Group. Rush Street has become the second Kambi customer to launch an online sportsbook in New Jersey – only the third operator to do so since the opening of the market. The third company nominated for its sportsbook is SBTech. SBTech’s product is highly adaptive and costeffective, offering more than 100 bet types on more than 30 types of sports and over 6,000 live betting events per month, all of which are available on customisable payouts. Meanwhile, SBTech has already signed a deal to become the sports betting supplier
What they said: Our software alongside its commercial model actively promotes our partners’ growth with a capped set-up fee - BetConstruct
“Live Beyond Live allows the player to experience high-end casino gaming in a digitally enhanced, social environment - NetEnt
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
What they said: An authentic social betting feature, Colossus Syndicates enables players to join the ticket of an expert or create a ticket for friends or other players across the Colossus network to fund. The Leaderboard for Syndicate ‘Captains’ provides transparency for players looking to join a Syndicate ticket in a Colossus pool.” - Colossus Bets
to Golden Nugget, Resorts Casino, Churchill Downs and GAN. Finishing the sportsbook nominees is SG Digital with OpenBet. OpenBet was incorporated under the Scientific Games umbrella, following its $630m acquisition of NYX Gaming Group this year. This has geared Scientific Games for a move into sports betting in the US, as OpenBet powers operator Caesars Entertainment in the regulated markets of New Jersey and Mississippi. The sportsbook also boasts sizeable market share in the UK. Elsewhere, the rise of virtual betting has not gone unnoticed within the digital space, fully justifying Sportradar’s place on the shortlist for Virtual Sports. The product adds significant incremental revenue for operators seeking ways to offer bets 24/7 – and across multiple channels:
retail, terminal, mobile and online. With over 180 bookmakers worldwide having integrated the product, it is easily one of the fastest-growing services on the market. No modern digital shortlist would be complete without an esports-related product. The esports sector has continued to thrive in 2018 and many operators have a lot to thank UltraPlay for. In 2016, the supplier announced the launch of the ODDS.gg esports data feed product. ODDS.gg provides real-time esports odds based on a hybrid methodology of machine-learning algorithms and human trading interaction. This year saw the product go from strength to strength. Nominated for the first time, Betsoft Gaming showcased Vault™ at last year’s G2E Asia conference and hasn’t looked back since. The online software developer created Vault™ with the specific aim
AWARD SPONSOR INTERBLOCK is a worldwide leading developer and supplier of luxury electronic table gaming products. Its multi-player gaming devices set industry standards and provide the ultimate luxury interactive entertainment experience.
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of levelling the playing field by taking bandwidth out of the equation entirely, making games available to players worldwide, regardless of regional limitations. Subsequently, the Vault™ platform has made it easy for users to download software to their computers so that games are played as part of a native application, rather than through a web interface. An operator who is not new to the shortlist is Colossus Bets, whose inclusion demonstrates the consistency of its product. Indeed, Colossus Syndicates has been nominated for the second year running. The feature enables users to propose crowdfunded tickets, which will then compete for jackpots. Since its launch, Colossus Syndicates has repeatedly hit a number of milestones and is quickly becoming a firm favourite among players. NetEnt completes the Shortlist for its Live Beyond Live offering. Earlier this year, NetEnt unveiled its newest gaming solution developed in collaboration with Mr Green. Live Beyond Live is a fully immersive 3D live casino experience with embedded live streams and graphics, offering players a unique branded gaming experience. During the Fifa World Cup, Live Beyond Live incorporated sports betting, allowing players to bet in-play while accessing the roulette table at Mr Green.
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM SPONSORED BY
Boyd Gaming Corporation – B Connected
Mohegan Sun – Momentum
Caesars Entertainment Corporation – Total Rewards
Rymax Marketing Services
Foxwoods Resort Casino – Foxwoods Rewards
Station Casinos – MyBoardingPass
Galaxy Entertainment Group – GEG Privilege Club
The Venetian – Grazie
MGM Resorts International – M life Rewards
Wynn Resorts - Wynn Red Card
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
What they said: “The award-winning program offers an extensive worldwide network that includes a variety of ways to earn and redeem on property, online and in everyday life”- Caesars Entertainment Corporation
Customer loyalty programs have long been considered one of the most effective tools for land-based and digital gaming operators to attract and retain players. As the years go on, and the market becomes ever more saturated, customer loyalty has become a strategic goal to increase brand value and profitability. With increased competition and decreased revenue in the gaming industry, casinos have developed and modified their loyalty programs to attract new customers and build customer loyalty. Now, more than ever, operators have harnessed this customer acquisition weapon to the best of their means to separate their brand offerings apart from the crowd, in the hope of cultivating customers’ emotional commitment and enhancing their lifetime value. When it comes to the gaming industry, many have argued that it’s one thing to attract new players, but it’s an entirely new challenge when trying to retain that intrinsic customer base. The Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas seeks to recognise those companies who have gone above and beyond to create incentives that keep players coming back for more. Operators striving to improve the customer experience and consequentially build a strong relationship with their players are vital to a business’ success. It is therefore important to recognise achievements made in this field, marking the accomplishments of those companies
“The nomination for our Customer Loyalty Program demonstrates our passion and commitment towards providing guests with luxurious resort accommodations and engaging activities” Mohegan Sun
who have implemented programs with lasting effects. As with many of the previous years’ Shortlists for this category, the casino industry triumphed with all the nominations hailing from this neck of the woods. While this may be the case for this year’s Shortlist, it seems more likely than not that we will see more omni-channel offerings shortlisted in the coming years. The first finalist this year is Boyd Gaming Corporation with its B Connected scheme. The operator recently announced it was taking its award-winning, nationwide player loyalty program to a new level with the addition of new reward tiers and exclusive new benefits for Boyd Gaming customers. The B Connected platform has been widely considered to be one of the favourite programs of gaming customers from coast-to-coast, but the company didn’t think to stop there. It was once a three-tier program, but now the scheme offers five tiers. The scheme allows players the chance to experience cruises, trips to Las Vegas and the Bahamas, B Memorable Experiences or exceptional annual gifts. The next nomination is Caesars Entertainment Corporation, with its customer loyalty program, Total Rewards. The operator has consistently refined its offering since launching the product and has remained a fan favourite among casino patrons. The Total Rewards scheme enables guests
to earn rewards based on gameplay, while customers can earn tier points from social gaming purchases online. These points can then be redeemed for free play, discounts and pre-sale show access, which continue to make Caesars customers feel special by being uniquely rewarded for their loyalty. Next up is the largest casino in the Western Hemisphere. Foxwoods Resort Casino has been nominated for its Foxwoods Rewards program. Foxwoods allows players to accelerate through its loyalty system at a fast pace, with loyalty cards given at Wonder, Gold, Platinum and Diamond level. Starting at the Wonder Card, players will receive exclusive invites to special events, promotions and tournaments in addition to complimentary hotel offers. At the top end, Diamond Card users can treat themselves to a seven-night complimentary stay in a Foxwoods hotel and receive a 20% discount on all Foxwoods retail and food and beverage purchases, among other rewards. The fourth nomination in this year’s Shortlist is Galaxy Entertainment Group, promoting customer loyalty through its GEG Privilege Club. As one of the most renowned loyalty programs in Macau, its offers accelerate through the four levels, up to the exclusive Diamond membership. Members of the exclusive GEG Privilege Club have more than enough reasons to keep playing. For instance, depending on the tier that you belong to, you are entitled GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM 39
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018 to discounts at selected restaurants, merchandise redemptions and slashed hotel rates. Moreover, as a higher tier member, you can enjoy a dedicated butler and host service, access to the Plaza Premium Lounge when you arrive at the Macau International Airport or a free round-trip air ticket every month. It should come as no surprise that last year’s winner MGM Resorts International has made an appearance in the 2018 Shortlist, due to its worldrenowned M life Rewards Loyalty Program. The operator has taken home the Award for the past four years in a row, and will be keen to further cement its dominance of this category with a fifth straight win. The M life scheme rewards guests for virtually every dollar spent across the 15 MGM resorts. M life program also includes the M life Rewards MasterCard, launched in partnership with First Bankcard, which offers card holders the opportunity to turn everyday purchases into exclusive hotel, dining, entertainment and spa experiences at M life Rewards destinations. Although MGM Resorts is a tough one to beat, Mohegan Sun is a fighting contender with its Momentum program. As one of the top gaming destinations in Connecticut, Mohegan Sun players can be rewarded with Momentum dollars, with benefits including complimentary tickets for arena entertainment and access to private entertainment. It’s not just the established Vegas Strip resorts that are getting in on the action when it comes to loyalty programs. Other operators in the local area are recognising this marketing strategy and our next two nominations to the Shortlist exemplify this trend. For more than 20 years, Rymax Marketing Services has been utilised by some of the top casino operators around, leading to a 97% increase in player engagement. It consistently delivers customised solutions that are designed based on targeted demographics, with more than 15,000 product rewards from over 350 top brand name manufacturers. Following this trend, the next finalist is Station Casinos’ MyBoardingPass loyalty
What they said: Wynn Las Vegas seeks to deliver an exclusive experience to its valued guests through the Wynn Resorts Red Card program, which offers special deals on dining, shopping, entertainment, and more - Wynn Resorts
Grazie status points give access to endless benefits and are earned at participating partners by charging purchases back to your guest suite or by playing at qualifying slot & video poker machines - Venetian
scheme, which allows players to earn and redeem points at 20 casinos across the Las Vegas Valley. Station Casinos allows customers to redeem those points in a number of ways, with over 60 restaurants, 11 hotels and eight move theatres at their disposal, and having responded to customer feedback, the operator is one of the few that allows the points to be redeemed for cash. The ninth nominee is The Venetian Grazie loyalty program, which is split into
AWARD SPONSOR ASIA LIVE TECH is the first bitcoin igaming software provider in Asia which provides cost-effective white-label solutions and product integrations. Within the span of a few years, Asia Live Tech has become one of Asia’s most trusted industry brands.
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three different rewards points categories; Status, Slots and Gifts. This gives great flexibility to customers, in terms of gaining points for their preferred pursuits, may that be gaming or other leisure activities. The program also offers customers the Grazie Gifts experience, where loyalty members can use Grazie Gift points during their resort stay to purchase complimentary high-end brand gifts at a shopping experience in the resort. Similar in its make-up to its competition, the Wynn Resorts Red Card sees players collecting points when playing slots, table games, or poker and uses it to secure reservations at one of their restaurants or shows, with only one card needed to access these features. It is one of the most distinguishable loyalty programs, due to its ease of use. Additionally, it is the rate of accruing points and the quality of exclusive offers made available to Red Card holders that make Wynn Resorts’ loyalty scheme stand out from its competitors.
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
LAND-BASED INDUSTRY SUPPLIER SPONSORED BY
American Gaming Systems
Interblock
Aristocrat
Intralot
Aruze Gaming
Konami Gaming, Inc.
Everi Holdings
Novomatic
IGT
ScientiямБc Games
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
This category allows the Global Gaming Awards to reward the companies that are the backbone of the land-based industry. To many consumers, these suppliers will not be noticed for the hard work they put into ensuring land-based gaming locations can run smoothly and efficiently. In landbased casinos for example, row after row of slot and roulette machines will be presented to players, and its the small-print name that appears on the screen which will often be missed. But this is the place for some of the biggest names in the indsutry to receive the credit they deserve. The Global Gaming Awards are all about giving credit where credit is due, so as well as recognising excellence in gaming operations, they also acknowledge the contribution of those who actually make the fantastic products and services that customers enjoy so much. Whether known as manufacturers, suppliers or providers, this prize is for them. This year’s Shortlist is about celebrating suppliers across a range of verticals. The cabinets, slots, table games and more, that customers play on a daily basis, would not be possible without the ingenuity, skill and dedication of the industry’s suppliers. The manufacturers included in this year’s Shortlist have worked behind the scenes to develop, construct and improve the products that consistently enhance the gambling experience for players around the world. As opposed to the Land-Based Product category, which focuses on individual launches, the Land-Based Industry Supplier award examines the operations of suppliers as a whole over the past year. The Award recognises and evaluates a number of different factors, such as geographical expansion and trend-setting technology development, in addition to new product launches. Many of the most recognisable names in the industry are featured in the Shortlist this year, including 2017’s winner and runner-up, making Land-Based Industry Supplier of the Year one of the most competitive categories in this year’s Global Gaming Awards. First up is American Gaming Systems (AGS). With its roots firmly planted in the Class II Native American gaming market, its customer-centric culture and remarkable growth have helped the company branch out to become one of the most all-inclusive commercial gaming suppliers in the world. The supplier recently entered the Alberta market in Canada earlier this year, with four of its best performing games in 24 locations throughout the province. In terms of financials, the
company’s 2018 Q2 results mark the most successful quarter in the company’s history, with revenue growing 45% yearon-year to $72.8m. EGM equipment sales increased 144% to $20.2m, another company record, due to the sale of 1,058 units, of which approximately 60% and 12% were Orion Portrait and Orion Slant cabinets, respectively. The next nomination in the Land-Based Industry Supplier of the Year award goes to Aristocrat. Founded in 1953, the company supplies to over 90 countries, with a global team of more than 5,000 employees This year alone, Aristocrat entered into a long-term strategic partnership with Boyd Gaming Corporation, one of the largest casino operators in the US. Additionally, the supplier acquired social casino games operator Big Fish Games in a deal worth $990m. The third nomination has long been a trailblazer in serving the land-based gaming industry, with a host of excellent products continuing to rank highly with
players and operators alike on casino floors. Aruze Gaming agreed a number of landmark deals this year, including a distribution agreement with Genesis Gaming Solutions and a licensing agreement with Walker Digital Table Systems. Additionally, it secured a licence from the Cyprus National Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission to supply gaming machines to Cyprus in May, emphasising the company’s efforts to focus on new and emerging European markets. Next up is the industry’s single source of both gaming and payments products that power the casino floor, giving it a unique space in the casino supplier market. Everi Holdings is a pioneer of integrated solutions, in addition to bringing innovative kiosks to the casino floor. Separately, Everi Intelligence can provide information and tools to help operators grow their market share. Everi’s Q1 2018 revenue grew to $111m, and Everi increased its operating income to $24.5m.
What they said: “2018 was a momentous year for AGS, as the company went public on the New York Stock Exchange, saw its share price increase by 88%, and completed the acquisition of Gameiom Technologies, an iGaming aggregator and content provider - AGS “In the past year, INTRALOT has confirmed its leading position with six renewals with US State Lotteries and a new contract for the Lottery of Illinois with Camelot - INTRALOT
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
IGT yet again reinforced its reputation as one of the titans of the industry in 2018, rolling out a series of ground breaking premium gaming experiences. The supplier has been making waves in the newly-regulated US sports betting market, having agreed to supply MGM Resorts International and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in New Jersey. Additionally, the supplier was selected alongside William Hill US to power a land-based sportsbook for two gaming facilities in the state of Rhode Island. Other than sports betting, IGT signed a long-term contract extension with the Michigan Lottery and a VLT supply deal with Western Canada Lottery Corporation. This year also proved to be a year of growth for Interblock. One of the supplier’s major deals in the past 12 months was in New York, where Interblock installed North America’s largest electronic table game footprint at Genting’s Resorts World Casino New York City. The gaming and entertainment destination features more than 1,000 ETG units—896 are recurring revenue Interblock units. The company also announced a deal with Grand Plaza Hanoi that has brought Interblock’s footprint to more than 60 seats on their casino floor. Interblock is the category market leader in Vietnam, with more than 90% market share and over 2,500 units installed. Next up in the Land-Based Industry Supplier of the Year category is INTRALOT. For the full year 2017, 19% of Intralot’s EBITDA came from its US operations. The supplier signed long-term agreements with Camelot for Illinois State Lottery, Wyoming Lottery, New Hampshire Lottery
Commission and more. The supplier is now focusing its sights on the various sports betting opportunities in the US. Another supplier which has reaped the rewards with some impressive results in the past year is Konami Gaming, Inc. Founded by Kagemasa Kozuki in 1973, the digital entertainment business has reached new heights over the last year, leveraging proven technology from its powerful legacy in amusement and video games to innovative next generation gaming products. The supplier grew its operating income by 8% year-on-year to $8m for the second quarter of 2018. Our penultimate nomination in the Land-Based Industry Supplier category is NOVOMATIC. Founded in 1980, the casino supplier’s games are among the most recognisable and technologically advanced in the industry, a fact reflected in the company’s sterling financial performance in 2017 and so far in 2018. It reported a 13% year-on-year increase in sales revenue to $1.6bn during the first half of 2018. Other acquisitions in core markets such as Germany, Italy, Spain and Eastern Europe, also part-explained the supplier’s H1 success. NOVOMATIC has also made remarkable achievements on the M & A front, as it purchased a majority stake in Ainsworth Game Technology earlier this year. Last but certainly not least, the final nomination that the Judging Panel thought worthy of distinction is Scientific Games. This Shortlist nominee is a leading innovator in the global gaming industry, with operators in regulated markets all over the world partnering with the
firm for its games content, technology, customised programs and managed services that engage today’s players in new and exciting ways. In the past year, Scientific Games sent out an emphatic statement to the industry with its $630m acquisition of NYX Gaming Group, which it completed in January. This gave the supplier access to OpenBet’s sports betting platform. This opportunity has been utilised with its partnership with Caesars Entertainment, allowing it to provide sports betting services in New Jersey and Mississippi.
AWARD SPONSOR GREENTUBE INTERNET ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTIONS, the NOVOMATIC Interactive division, is a leading developer and supplier of iGaming solutions. The well-diversified product portfolio includes classic slots, table games, AWP reloaded slots, serverbased gaming, social casino gaming, bingo and more.
What they said: As the gaming industry strives to reach new audiences, Konami is actively leveraging proven ingenuity from its amusement and video game entertainment legacy to innovate next generation gaming product like never before, while advancing gaming enterprise management systems to cater to consumer tech preferences - Konami Gaming, Inc.
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GREENTUBE INTERACTIVE GAMING SOLUTIONS
GREENTUBE INTERNET ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTIONS GMBH sales@greentube.com www.greentube.com
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
DIGITAL INDUSTRY SUPPLIER SPONSORED BY
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
BetConstruct Greentube IGT Kambi Microgaming NetEnt Playtech Pragmatic Play SBTech SG Digital Digital suppliers are the lifeblood of the online sector. They keep our favourite games and sportsbooks up and running behind the scenes, as well as providing fresh alternatives to make our gaming experience more interesting and exciting. The role of a digital supplier can be extremely diverse, with some doing more than providing platforms, but also managing trade, as well as implementing risk management services. There are yet more opportunities for suppliers in the market following the repeal of the
Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May. Nevada is no longer the only US state to accept mobile sports betting wagers, with New Jersey operators now taking mobile bets and other states potentially following suit. The digital industry has gone from strength to strength this year and continues to thrive on mobile gaming that has become more accessible to the user. This was evident with the record breaking net spend at the World Cup, which reached $136bn for the tournament. The Digital Industry Supplier of the Year
Award praises the role that these companies play in providing operators with the tools to keep the industry thriving. All of those nominated this year go above and beyond to provide players with the best possible platform to play on. The Shortlist for this year’s Award is about recognising the achievements of suppliers across several gaming verticals. The first nominee is BetConstruct. BetConstruct is one of the key players in the sports betting and online gaming industry, providing coverage of over 30,000 live events every month. BetConstruct has also taken strides in offering online poker and virtual reality gaming, as well as providing market solutions including affiliate programs. BetConstruct is currently thriving on the European market, providing services in 16 countries, and is looking to expand into the US. When talking about variety in online gaming, Greentube springs to mind. Greentube is one of the leading suppliers of online and mobile games, with its portfolio varying from classic slots, to video bingo and online table games. Greentube has recently been expanding further into the European market, with partnerships with Unibet in Romania and Bwin in Italy. Greentube also offers its Pro service, which allows land-based casinos to stay connected with their players through online social gaming. IGT is one of the largest and most respected suppliers on the market, known for its expertise on land-based and digital products, as well as solutions. IGT’s PlayDigital platform offers a complete solution, from on-premise mobile gaming through PlaySpot, to its library of classic and modern online and mobile slots, such as Cleopatra and MegaJackpots. IGT has also expanded into the sports betting market, partnering with FanDuel in preparation to offer mobile sports betting, with West Virginia expected to go live in the near future. Kambi is one of the fastest-growing sportsbook suppliers currently on the market. The company made history in 2018, as its sportsbook offering became the first in the US to take an online sports bet outside Nevada through its partnership with operator DraftKings. Kambi saw its revenue increase 25% yearon-year to €17.6m ($20.6m) for the second quarter of 2018, and this could be set to grow further with its US expansion. Microgaming has long been one of the market leaders in online gaming, having developed the first true online casino software in 1994 and the first mobile casino software in 2004. The recent release of its Prima poker software could be the next big step in online poker, boasting a streamlined interface, a blind cash game lobby and a simplified rewards system. Microgaming also has one of the most comprehensive sportsbooks on the market, perfecting its platform since it first launched 12 years ago. GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM 47
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
Our next nominee has featured for this Award for the last four years, winning on one occasion in 2015. NetEnt is one of the most recognisable online gaming suppliers in the market. Branded slots like Jumanji, Planet of the Apes and Guns N’ Roses allow NetEnt to occupy an exclusive place in the market. NetEnt has recently expanded its online gaming portfolio to New Jersey at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City and the recently opened Ocean Resort, and has been active in the US since 2015. NetEnt has had a productive year to date, seeing its operating profit rise 43.5% yearon-year for H1 to SEK 105.3m ($11.4m). Playtech has been a consistent nominee for the past four years in this category, and its versatility is its main strength, covering casino, bingo, virtual sports, lottery and much more. Its omni-channel scheme is still one of the most comprehensive around, and with 140 global licenses, Playtech has established itself as one of the go to online gaming suppliers. Playtech has recently expanded into Mexico as a sports betting provider with local operators, and acquired Italian supplier Snaitech to expand its European offerings. Pragmatic Play is a leading online casino development platform, with products varying from online table games to slots. Its games are supplied to 78 countries and in 26 different languages, across both desktop and mobile platforms. Pragmatic Play has looked to expand this year with the acquisition of fellow supplier Extreme Live Gaming, as well as going live in Italy with StarCasino and Kindred. The next nominee is SBTech, one of the largest sports betting suppliers currently on the market. SBTech cemented itself as one of the go to suppliers in Europe with the recent partnership with LeoVegas’ BetUK platform. SBTech has recently moved into the US market, partnering with Golden Nugget to provide its sportsbook and online gaming platforms in two of the operator’s casinos, in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Our last, and by no means least nominee, is SG Digital, one of the biggest names in the industry and a regular nominee for this Award. SG Digital provides omni-channel casino gaming across mobile, land-based, desktop and social channels. SG Digital’s sports betting platform OpenBet enjoyed a successful World Cup campaign, as it processed more than 177 million bets, with a peak of 18,000 bets placed per minute on the platform, which is used by some the biggest operators in the UK, including William Hill and Ladbrokes Coral. SG Digital’s gaming revenue almost trebled year-on-year in the second quarter of 2018, to $46.7m.
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AWARD SPONSOR BETTINGJOBS is the global leading Headhunting, Consulting & Recruitment Solutions provider to the Sports Betting, Gaming & Lotteries sectors. With over 15 years of unparalleled success worldwide,we are bringing our industry-leading service, knowledge & network to the US market.
What they said: Greentube is one of the leading suppliers of online and mobile games, with its portfolio varying from classic slots, to video bingo and online table games - Greentube
Kambi’s had a remarkable 12 months - expanding into six continents, extending contracts with key customers including LeoVegas and Kindred, and signing eight new customers - Kambi Today, NetEnt manages a portfolio of more than 250 in-demand slots, including some of the hottest intellectual properties in consumer entertainment - NetEnt
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
PRODUCT INNOVATION SPONSORED BY
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
Asia Live Tech – Cryptocurrencies White Label Casino
Betgenius – BetBuilder Evolution Gaming – Evolution Lightning Roulette FSB – Fastpick.com Gamblit Gaming – Into the Dead Gaming Innovation Group – Sports betting platform
Helio Gaming - Lotto Hero Jackpot Digital – Jackpot Blitz IGT – Virtual Zone Play’n GO – OMNY The purpose of innovation is for two reasons; to offer existing customers a new exciting platform and to keep them engaging with products, and to be seen as being ahead of the curve. The younger generation has been exposed to a multitude of new and
evolving sources of entertainment, far more than the generations that preceded it, making it the most challenging to appeal to and innovate for. Operators and suppliers have had to think outside the box, and use new and upcoming technologies to keep
their offerings fresh and appeal to tech-savvy users. The market has expanded more than ever before, as the regulation of sports betting has been legalised in the US, and more operators have allowed the use of cryptocurrencies, so innovation has become imperative to establish operators as the leader of their respective market. The first nominee is Asia Live Tech with its Cryptocurrencies White Label Casino. The product merges online casino play with the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies, to create a unique gaming platform. The product can be split up into two main parts. The first is the white label online casino solution, which is a turnkey solution that can be used to create online casinos at a low cost. The second part is the Bitcoin online casino, which allows for anonymous and convenient player transactions. Last year’s winner Betgenius is back again with its BetBuilder program, proving it is still at the forefront of online betting innovation. BetBuilder was developed by Betgenius in partnership with fellow supplier Sportcast, and can offer operators a user-friendly pre-match betting tool, with instant pricing giving bettors the chance to build accumulators from several events and markets in a single bet. The product launched with a wave of sports betting operators last year and has continued to prove popular with the market. The program works so well, due to the ever-changing nature of sport. Evolution Gaming’s Lightning Roulette is a welcome change to the live roulette industry, as it incorporates traditional roulette with ‘RNG Lucky Number’ wins, which adds a little more content and more potential to win into the game. Lightning Roulette blends innovation with tradition. Players are still treated to all the classic live roulette features, but Lightning Roulette’s additional chances to win in every game round is known to captivate players. Following the trend of offering something new to traditional games, FSB’s Fastpick.com offers one of the most unique fantasy sports offerings on the market. Fastpick.com was created to provide an alternative for fantasy sports players. Unlike a standard daily fantasy sports product, players can take on the house in a series of straightforward man-to-man performance markets, without having to worry about taking on professional players across sophisticated statistical models. Five sports are available to play, venturing from American football to basketball and football. GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM 51
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
What they said: Unrivalled betting options and a slick, disruptive interface has established BetBuilder as the leading B2B offering in the sector, with the likes of Bwin and Betsson making it a lead product during the 2018 FIFA World Cup - Betgenius Gamblit Gaming has made a name for itself by taking popular games and successfully shifting them into the gambling world. Into the Dead is a fastpaced zombie action title that has attracted over 77 million downloads, and arrived on casino floors as part of Gamblit’s TriStation game machine.The TriStation transforms the traditional casino experience, where single players can now choose from a lobby of engaging skillbased video game experiencesthat are a combination of Gamblit-created original content and popular partner games. Released prior to this year’s Fifa World Cup, the launch of Gaming Innovation Group’s (GIG) sports betting platform was highly anticipated in the gaming industry. The innovative product integrates ultra-responsive, highly flexible, scalable
With 25+ units active on cruise ships, Blitz has increased casino revenues and received rave reviews from players and casino staff alike - Jackpot Digital
and data-driven platform services. The platform is run by GIG’s in-house operator Rizk.com, and was one of the driving forces behind a 39% increase in revenue to €36.9m ($42.1m) for Q2 this year. LottoHero, powered by Helio Gaming, offers hourly jackpots worth millions of euros. Players select seven numbers and a card suit for a chance to win in the jackpot draw, made on the hour and every hour. The traditional lottery element mixed with the regular chance to win helps it stand out from other lottery providers. Jackpot Digital’s Jackpot Blitz platform is the next nominee, which has maintained its place as one of the most innovative electronic table games on the market. Jackpot Blitz offers players a unique experience and operators an unparalleled
AWARD SPONSOR PRAGMATIC PLAY is a leading multi-product provider of premium entertainment to the igaming industry. Our passion for premium entertainment is unrivalled and we continually strive to create an engaging player experience.
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efficiency, flexibility and profitability. The innovative product offers cutting edge technology including 84” 4K ultrasensitive and durable touch screens. Gesture Control is also available, allowing the table to respond to gestures to replicate real casino play. The gambling industry has taken a lot from the gaming industry, and IGT’s Virtual Zone has harnessed the power and interest in virtual reality. Virtual Zone has introduced a new form of casino entertainment that combines captivating content with IGT’s Tournament Manager systems technology. The physical installation transports players to a virtual reality world, where they can compete for real rewards. Boyd Gaming’s Orleans Casino in Las Vegas was the first casino to feature the product. The final nominee is Play’n GO with its OMNY platform, which has the potential to change the way we play. OMNY is a pioneering omni-channel gaming tool that is suitable for landbased, digital and hybrid operators. It enables players to seamlessly transfer game progress across various devices, including land-based and digital. A user-friendly interface and detailed back-end for operators ensures OMNY is a standout product this year.
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS SPONSORED BY
BMM Testlabs
Hard Rock International
Caesars Entertainment Corporation
MGM Resorts International
Foxwoods Resort & Casino
Sportradar
Gaming Laboratories International
William Hill
GeoComply
Wynn Resorts
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
Companies that receive nominations for the Responsible Business of the Year 2018 Award come in all shapes and sizes from different parts of the gaming industry, making this one of the most unique categories. This year, nominees include landbased operators, land-based suppliers, digital suppliers, digital operators and even testing laboratories, which just goes to show how much emphasis the entire gaming industry is placing on responsible business practices. The first nominee is the winner of last year’s Responsible Business of the Year Award, Sportradar. The sports data and digital content provider has increased protection and integrity in the world of sport through its Fraud Detection System, which can monitor betting data and flag suspicious odds movements, something that has been paramount in cracking down on suspicious betting during the Fifa World Cup earlier this year. Among Sportradar’s roster of clients is Uefa, European football’s governing body. On top of this, Sportradar is partnered with a number of leading sport rights holders, which includes the NHL, Fiba and Asian Football Confederation. The system generates reports which provide an accurate and data-driven insight into betting markets. Some of these reports have even been used in high-profile sports disciplinary procedures and criminal investigations. The second nominee is BMM Testlabs. BMM is one of the longest-running and experienced independent gaming testing laboratories in the world, and has been operating for over 35 years. BMM operates in 12 jurisdictions across the world and provides its clients with bespoke training and education on compliance issues faced by manufacturers, operators and regulators. Most recently, BMM announced the company received approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for interactive gaming services. The West Virginia Lottery also approved BMM to test its sports betting equipment in the wake of the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and the regulating of sports betting. Our next nominee hoping to be named Responsible Business of the Year is Caesars Entertainment Corporation. The company’s HERO employee engagement program continues to encourage Caesars employees to take that extra step and give back to the community by volunteering in local community projects and schemes. In 2017, the HERO program successfully
ran its annual Breast Cancer Awareness rally across the US, which included educational seminars and fun and engaging opportunities to raise funds for charities. The rally raised a total of $379,345 across the company. Next up is Foxwoods Resort & Casino.Through the Foxwoods Cares campaign, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods Resort Casino supportthe community and green initiatives through donations and sponsorships. Both parties pride themselves on their corporate social responsibility through ‘The Giving Campaign,’ which uses donations to give back to the local community. On the Foxwoods website, donations can be made to Live United,which uses donations to make changes in the lives of local residents of Southeastern Connecticut. Foxwoods also works with ‘Coach for a Cause,’ giving patrons who arrive on a qualified charter, including bingo charters the opportunity to win a $500 donation to a charity from Foxwoods on their behalf. Our next nominee is one of the most respected and trusted names in the industry; Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). Having serviced operators in over 475 jurisdictions across the planet, GLI provides its clients across the gaming industry with testing and certification services to ensure the maximum safety for games developed by the industry’s suppliers. GLI has a proven track record when it comes to improving the quality
of software systems, managing risk, taking products to the market and reducing the costs that come with project implementation. GLI is fully invested in continuing to support the industry through the GLI University, which aims to help regulators stay on top of the new technologies that are present in this constantly evolving industry. GLI also works to help new regulators understand how the testing process works and how accurate and thorough testing can benefit their jurisdiction ensuring the integrity of gaming. Our fifth nominee is GeoComply, a leader in geolocation compliance technology that offers its clients reliable, accurate and precise geolocationservices. Since the launch of GeoComply in 2011, its technology has helped bring safety and responsibility to regulated casinos and digital gaming throughout the US and beyond, making it one of the most trusted sources for geolocation compliance technology in the gaming industry. The main focus of the technology is on geolocation compliance but thanks to continued success has expanded into the realm of payment, fraud analytics and streaming media solutions. GeoComply is an approved vendor in the states of New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, Georgia, Mississippi and West Virgina. The company hasalso managed to meet the challenges put forth by North American regulators with incredibly high verification rates. Hard Rock International has consistently supported the Florida Council on
What they said: Foxwoods continues to reinvest tourism revenue into the community through our $100m+ spend with over 1,000 in-state vendors - Foxwoods Resorts
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
What they said: Corporate Social Responsibility is a core value of MGM. The Feeding Forward program aims to feed more people and waste less food. MGM simultaneously combats food waste and hunger on a large scale. Leftover food from meetings is safely collected by Three Square Food Bank, transported, and stored for future distribution.”MGM Resorts International
Compulsive Gambling, with the tribe agreeing to provide $1.75m in funding for compulsive gambling treatment in Florida back in 2010. This allowed the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling to develop and implement a state-wide treatment program, providing free treatment for problem gamblers and those who have had their lives affected by gambling. Our next nominee is two-time winner of the Responsible Business of the Year Award, MGM Resorts International. MGM has continued to work on giving back to local communities.
The MGM Resorts Foundation attempts to strengthen neighbourhoods by providing priority funding to projects and programs through self-sufficiency and revitalisation of communities. The foundation also seeks to strengthen childhood development by offering grants which will help with early childhood development, success in school and prevention and intervention. The MGM Resorts Foundation requests for 2019 opened on 4 September. MGM Resorts also aims to lower the number of Americans suffering from food insecurity, and does this by
AWARD SPONSOR MICROGAMING is the leading supplier of casino, poker, bingo, sportsbook, live dealer and back-office software, providing 500+ gaming brands worldwide with access to 850+ casino games and a branded portfolio that includes Playboy, Terminator 2™, Jurassic Park™, Game of Thrones™ and Bridesmaids™. The award-winning, millionaire-making Microgaming is the father of player protection and responsible gaming. And through Microgaming PlayItForward, it is a pillar of its local community on the Isle of Man.
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supporting the Three Square food bank in Southern Nevada, which provides food assistance to residents in Lincoln, Esmeralda, Nye and Clark Counties. William Hill is our next nominee, making massive strides in the US after the repeal of PASPA. William Hill has not lost sight of becoming one of the most responsible companies in the industry. In 2012, the William Hill Foundation began its commitment to Project Africa, and since then a total of £220,000 has been raised to help provide the community of Ol Mairo in Kenya with fresh, clean drinking water, electricity, a library, a health clinic, accommodation for teachers and classrooms. On top of all this, money has gone towards further education scholarships for highperforming students in the community. Last but not least is Wynn Resorts. The Wynn Employee Foundation gives employees in the company the chance to give something back to the community by making investments that go further with the company’s match program. Additionally, Wynn Las Vegas has announced the inaugural recipients of the new Wynn Scholarship Fund, which has resulted in $75,000 being paid into academic scholarships to 10 employees and children of employees.
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
SLOT SPONSORED BY
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
Aristocrat – Game of Thrones Casino Technology – EZ MODULO Eclipse Gaming – Super Slot of Cash – Bull Booster Euro Games Technology – 3 Happy Hits Greentube – From Dusk Till Dawn Konami Gaming, Inc. – Fortune Cup Lightning Box – Silver Lion NetEnt – MAX Play’n GO – Hugo Goal Scientific Games – MONOPOLY Hot Shot When you think about a casino, the first thing that springs to mind for many patrons are the slot-based games which line many casino halls. Slots are usually the first thing you will see when you set foot into a casino hall and have been a mainstay in the land-based sector for centuries. With the constantly evolving
nature of the gaming industry, slots are now available on terminals, computer desktops and even mobile platforms, making them even more significant than they were previously. This Award aims to recognise the slot games that truly set themselves apart and stand out from the sea of slot machines
you find on the casino floor, while acknowledging the contribution and impact they have on land-based gaming. This is a brand new and exciting category for the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas, which we are excited to share and celebrate with you. First up on our list of nominees for this exciting new category is Casino Technology and the EZ MODULO digital slot machine. Casino Technology may have a massive variety of slot machines to choose from, but nothing stands out like the EZ MODULO digital slot machine, which comes in two variations. The EZ MODULO 27/27 which features two 27” Full HD displays, an optional 22” video topper and an extra large players deck for comfort. The machine also has an optional 15” i-deck with a game selector. Then there is the EZ MODULO 32/32 features two 32” inch HD displays, stereo sound, LED lighting with game driven effects, an optional 27” LCD video topper and an extra large players deck. Euro Games Technology presents a three-level mystery progressive jackpot system with 3 Happy Hits. This slot’s unique feature is that it combines the advantages of standalone jackpots with those of combined jackpots. The first two levels are standalone and the third Grand level can be used by all gaming machines connected to the network, giving players an even greater chance to hit a bigger jackpot. Each of the slot’s levels have separate minimum and maximum triggering values and specific games supported by 3 Happy Hits can be connected to the jackpot network. To ensure the experience is tailored for the player, players can customise some parameters of the slots, including denominations, minimum and maximum total game bets. The slots also include colourful animations to cheer players on. Third up is Super Slots of Cash – Bull Booster from Eclipse Gaming. Super Slots of Cash is a slot designed for the player who loves traditional style in their games with a classic three reels and one line game. Super Slots of Cash – Bull Booster is the newest theme in Eclipse’s 10x Wild Multiplier series. The Bull Booster feature adds a unique and innovative twist to gameplay, with the addition of the Bull Booster respin feature allowing players to re-spin without needing to make another wager. Next up is Aristocrat with the Game of Thrones slot, based on the worldfamous TV series and novel of the same name. The slot is available on Aristocrat’s Arc Double cabinet and offers a four- GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM 59
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
What they said: The rich story and detailed world of the hit HBO show came to life on the Arc Double cabinet and was an instant hit with players who were thrilled to see dragons, battles, epic music and characters, both revered and reviled. The game has spawned a successful franchise, and the sequel is one of the year’s most anticipated games - Aristocrat
level progressive game with a multi-site progressive jackpot. The slot features creatures and characters from the hit show, along with stirring music straight out of the show, with characters and moments being brought to life across the slot’s five reels. Greentube’s From Dusk Till Dawn takes the next place on our Shortlist. This slot is based on the cult classic film of the same name and is available on mobile and online platforms. From Dusk Till Dawn features characters from the film that come to life across the five reels and 50 win lines. What makes this slot even more special is that there are two jackpots on offer which can be won at any time. Konami Gaming, Inc. is next with the horseracing-themed Fortune Cup slot game. Fortune Cup combines 10 betting stations, with intuitive touch screen interfaces around a precisionengineered mechanical horseracing track with real-time digital video animation across all connected LCD screens. Up to 100 terminals can be added to create a stadium-like format or even to create satellite betting with players in other parts of the casino. Fortune Cup manages to stand out with its comprehensive bet functionality, which allows players to drag and drop chips for a number of results which include win, place and quinella with a progressive chance to win over $20,000. Players can also view data for specific horses on the track 60 GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM
when it comes to placing bets, immersing players more than the average slot. Next up on the Slot of the Year Shortlist is Lightning Box, with the Silver Lion slot game which has proven to be a hit among players and has even been optimised to be played on mobile devices. Silver Lion is a colourful and vibrant slot game, which gives players 1,024 different ways to win with nine standard symbols across its five reels. On top of this, Silver Lion features bonuses like the scatter symbol, which will trigger up to 20 free spins where players will have the chance to combine their 2x and 3x multiplier bonuses and multipliers to a combined maximum of 27x to help build up even more cash. NetEnt is hoping to take home the Slot of the Year award with the MAX slot line. MAX slots cater to different player groups and allow operators to address the different wants and needs with just a single marketing push. The MAX line provides two variants of the same game. One variant is catered to the casual player and the other (the MAX variant) caters to the “MAX players” who are seasoned players looking for higher payouts and sizeable wins. Capitalising on the success of the Fifa World Cup, Play’n GO’s Hugo Goal sees the 90s TV troll Hugo and his friends entering the world of football, provoking feelings of nostalgia, but also the excitement that comes from seeinga familiar character in a completely new world.
The final contender is MONOPOLY Hot Shot from Scientific Games. MONOPOLY Hot Shot is a three-reel, 27-line game, and is a product of Scientific Games’ V75 cabinet, which boasts a 75” curved HD 4K display. In this game the classic board game Monopoly meets the player-favourite Hot Shot feature, which can be triggered by spinning three or more mini-reel symbols that can transform into Hot Shot mini-reel games in-game.
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
PROPERTY SPONSORED BY
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Palms Casino Resort
Casino de Tigre
Reno Resort Casino
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Studio City Macau
Mohegan Sun Casino
The Cromwell
Mount Airy Casino Resort
Viejas Casino and Resort
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
What they said: The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa made history in June, becoming the first Atlantic City casino to accept retail sports wagers. Entertainment has been a key to its success since opening in 2003 - Borgata
The Property of the Year category doesn’t simply take into account the size, the number of gaming machines that are present or the amount of guests a property can accommodate. Instead, we have searched the globe to find the most tantalising and well-designed gambling properties that are best suited to attracting their customer bases. Like anyone’s mother would tell them, it’s not just what’s on the outside that matters. Many of these properties have been filled with amazing art works, some of the best restaurants in the world and beautiful decors. The first property on our list is a true landmark of Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa offers over 2,000 guest rooms, which have all been modernly redesigned to suit the needs of all of its visitors. The casino’s size is truly staggering, with over 3,400 slot machines and 250 table games. The property also offers a 2,400-seat entertainment venue along with countless restaurants and bars. Visitors can go to the Borgata on holiday and never have to leave, as high-quality food, a relaxing day at the spa, and incredible entertainment are all available within its walls. For those looking to visit an integrated resort in South America, you would be hard pressed to find a property as impressive as Casino de Tigre, located in Argentina’s capital,
The Cromwell is the best bet in Las Vegas, offering an unmatched collection of player-friendly gaming options, exclusive drink specials, free live entertainment and a new sports book with LED video walls- The Cromwell
Buenos Aires. The property is one of the largest casinos on the entire continent, operating 1,800 last generation slots and 74 gaming tables. Also known as Trilenium, its position on the Lujan River offers guests great views and helps to reflect its bright lights to add to its elegant exterior. Customers also praise the lively atmosphere inside, which can often include local samba dancers and other equally flamboyant displays of South American culture. Situated in the old gaming capital of the world, Eldorado’s famous Reno Resort Casino property in Downtown Reno, Nevada, is truly iconic. Having originally opened its doors in 1973 with 282 rooms, this property has changed over the years, learning over time from its thousands of guests who have helped shape and curate the property into the perfect holiday and gambling environment. Maintaining and improving the property has ensured that over the years it has remained one of the most highly desirable integrated resorts to visit in the world. Despite many changes, this property has always remained true to its customers and has worked hard to retain its iconic image, immortalised by its facade of bright neon lights. Next on the list is arguably the most impressive tribal operated casino in the US. Foxwoods Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Mashantucket
Pequot Tribal Nation and has produced billions of dollars in revenue since opening in 1992. The casino hosts more than 2,000 rooms and covers 344,000 square feet. This property also contains several impressive buildings, surrounded by sprawling trees as far as the eye can see. Its beautiful and elegant surroundings are reflected in both the exterior and interior of the property. In terms of both style and functionality, it is incredibly hard to find a flaw in this stunning property. From one tribal property to another, the Mohegan Sun Casino located in Connecticut is another visual masterpiece. Its chic all-glass exterior helps it to blend in to its surrounding blue skies. With over 1,500 rooms and a 10,000-seat stadium. There is an air of grandeur surrounding the property. Inside, the decor makes use of warm colours and impressive fixtures, as it seamlessly blends tribal, natural and modern designs to help create an interior as elegant and chic as its exterior. For those who are simply looking to visit a property, you will be hard pressed to find one as aesthetically pleasing and welcoming as the Mohegan Sun Casino. Not too far away nestled in the Poconos in Pennsylvania, the Mount Airy Casino Resort continues to grow, adding a new convention space, hotel tower and outdoor events centre. It is GLOBALGAMINGAWARDS.COM 63
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018 also innovating with new technologies and gaming verticals, such as social gaming, online gaming for real money and sports betting. The tranquil scenery and ample space is perfect for those who want to relax and enjoy a round of golf or enjoy a concert outside. A modern indoor pool and waterfall features help to reflect the relaxed and inviting atmosphere that can be felt throughout the property. By far one of the most iconic properties in gaming, the Palms Casino Resort, situated on the Las Vegas Strip, has undergone a massive transformation over the past year. The property has recently undergone a $620m renovation, adding 40 new table games and 1,100 video poker and slot machines. There is plenty to talk about within the Palms, whether it’s the incredible choice of culinary options, or the frankly ludicrous collection of art sprawled across the property. Visitors can marvel at works by Damien Hirst, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol to name but a few of the globally renowned artists whose works adorn the interior. Of course, no property on the Strip is complete without offering options for those seeking a thrilling night out, and the Palms is no exception. Both the Apex Social Club and Camden Cocktail Lounge offer guests the opportunity to enjoy Vegas’ famous nightlife in an elegant and luxurious setting. Leaving Vegas and heading over to Asia, Studio City Macau looks more
like a city skyline from the outside than an integrated resort. Costing over $2bn to construct, it offers over 100,000 square feet of gaming space, a 32,000 square foot Warner Brother’s fun zone for families, and 1,600 rooms. Guest are greeted by a huge arcade guarded either side by giant statues as they gaze upwards towards the towering structure. Just one of the numerous impressive features is the heart of the property, which is hollowed out to make space for the world’s first figure of eight carousel, which allows guests a unique chance to view the whole of Macau. The third and final tribal-operated property on the Shortlist is the relatively young Viejas Casino and Resort in San Diego, California. It has since expanded with the opening of an additional hotel tower. Well known for its high quality of guest services, it has cemented itself as one of the market leaders, in terms of hospitality and affordable luxury. Taking full advantage of San Diego’s warm climate, the outdoor pool is lined with palm trees, and concerts are often held outside. Easily one of the most relaxing properties on this list, guests are quick to praise its tranquil atmosphere and exciting entertainment options. The final property on our list is one that embodies the classic spirit of Las Vegas; The Cromwell. With 40,000 square feet of gaming space and 188 guest rooms, The Cromwell — the former home of Barbary Coast and Bill’s
AWARD SPONSOR SCIENTIFIC GAMES CORPORATION is a leading developer of technology-based products and services and associated content for worldwide gaming, lottery and interactive markets. The company’s portfolio includes gaming machines, game content and systems; table games products and shufflers; instant and draw-based lottery games; server-based lottery and gaming systems; sports betting technology; loyalty and rewards programs; and interactive content and services.
Gamblin’ Hall and Saloon on the Las Vegas Strip, draws guests with some innovative offerings, such as a $1 daily martini happy hour, free live music, electronic room keys and a brandnew state-of-the-art sportsbook. This property offers the perfect combination of innovative offerings and tried and tested visitor favourites.
What they said: “To become an allinclusive destination resort, Foxwoods pivoted its strategy by applying the Las Vegas model of 65% non-gaming / 35% gaming - Foxwoods
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It’s an honor for Mohegan Sun to be recognised among the top 10 industry leaders in business operations, resort accommodations and entertainment - Mohegan Sun
EVOLVING ENTERTAINMENT
At Scientific Games, we’re EVOLVING ENTERTAINMENT, and at G2E this year visitors will see how we not only have the full spectrum of products, services, technology and talent to meet today’s challenges, but also the VISION and capacity to help shape the FUTURE of entertainment.
LOTTERY | GAMING | SYSTEMS | DIGITAL | SOCIAL The look and feel of the games and their individual components and displays are trade dress of Scientific Games Corp. and its Subsidiaries. TM and © 2018 Scientific Games Corp. and its Subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
AMERICAN EXECUTIVE SPONSORED BY
Renato Ascoli – IGT
Matt Davey – SG Digital
Joe Asher – William Hill US
Mike Dreitzer – Gaming Arts LLC
Vigen Badalyan – BetConstruct
Gaming Laboratories International
Gary Carano – Eldorado Resorts
Phyllis Gilland – Golden Entertainment
Barry Cottle – Scientific Games
Ernie Stevens – National Indian Gaming Association
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Christie Eickelman –
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
The American Executive category is making its debut at this year’s Global Gaming Awards, somewhat ironically considering it will honour those who have been so heavily involved in the gaming industry for such a long time. This category is hotly contested, especially considering that this year has seen monumental changes to the US gaming landscape. Narrowing down the nominations for this category was extremely tough, but no doubt it’s the kind of hard decision that these individuals thrive on making. These gaming industry executives have been deemed the most influential during a year which has seen so many people making their mark on the industry. Instead of simply evaluating a company’s financial prowess over the course of the last year, our independent judges have used numerous criteria in their process to determine the top 10 most influential and important candidates. The list also includes executives that have made groundbreaking progress in their markets as well as those who have helped to deliver new and innovative products. The first industry executive to make it on to our list this year is none other than IGT’s Renato Ascoli. In his role as IGT CEO North America, Ascoli is responsible for product development, manufacturing, marketing, and delivering the company’s gaming, digital and lottery offerings. During this year, Ascoli has helped to secure several key partnership agreements which have led to IGT’s systems being used to power many of the US’ new sportsbooks. As a result, the company is now in one of the best positions to take advantage of the expanding US sports betting market. Another executive who has made waves in the US following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act is William Hill US’ CEO, Joe Asher. William Hill has been preparing for a legalised market in the US for years, with Asher at the forefront of its plans. His visionary thinking has put William Hill in an excellent strategic position today, and with the fall of PASPA, it would appear that the operator is in a prime position to expand further several key US markets. Despite already being well known in Europe, Asher is helping to propel William Hill into the US gaming spotlight. Also making waves in the US market this year is Vigen Badalyan with BetConstruct. With a wealth of experience and industry knowledge in the gambling sector, it’s no surprise Badalyan has managed to drive
BetConstruct to the forefront of the industry. By securing hugely important agreements this year and turning the company’s focus to the US market, Badalyan has overseen a period of rapid expansion. In fact, BetConstruct has become so well established in its native Armenia that it was visited by the country’s President earlier this year, where Badalyan gave him the lowdown on the company’s latest developments. In terms of having a busy and impactful year, few operators can match the developments undertaken by Eldorado Resorts with Gary Carano at the helm. Over the course of the past few years, Eldorado has gone from being a privately held company with a handful of casinos in downtown Reno, Nevada, and a riverboat in Louisiana, to being a publicly-traded company, with casino operations throughout the US and a market capitalisation of $3.5bn. Carano has kept the company’s momentum going this year by securing billiondollar acquisitions of seven of Tropicana Entertainment’s casinos. The deal will see Eldorado enter into two new gaming jurisdictions and further diversifies the company’s financial and geographical operating base. Having secured numerous lottery partnerships across the US over the past year, Barry Cottle of Scientific Games has ensured that his company remains an industry leader in the US and around the globe. Cottle began his role as Scientific Games’ President and CEO in June after leaving his role as SG Interactive’s CEO. With his vast experience, Cottle is well equipped to help the company continue to grow within the digital gaming landscape. His achievements over the last year are momentous, including spearheading the company’s expansion into the US sports betting market, as well as the acquisition of NYX/OpenBet, helping to double revenue figures during his time as CEO. Next on our list is Matt Davey, the Group Chief Executive of SG Digital. With over six years of experience as NYX Gaming Group’s CEO, Davey has managed to refine his industry knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to become one of the most capable executives in the industry at Scientific Games. It came as no surprise that he was chosen to oversee a period of growth at the organisation. Davey has been responsible for overseeing a 1,500 strong workforce as they combined SG Interactive’s portfolio of B2B products and services with the recently-acquired online casino and sports betting services of NYX. Another industry veteran who has undertaken a new role is Mike Dreitzer,
Renato Ascoli
Joe Asher
Vigen Badalyan
Gary Carano
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GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018
who was named President of Gaming Arts in February. With close to 20 years of experience behind him, Dreitzer has been quick to make his mark. Currently tasked with bringing the company into “the next level,” he has not disappointed, in terms of developing the business both domestically and internationally. Securing a distribution deal with Canada Gaming and overseeing the acquisition of Las Vegas Bingo Supply are just two of his numerous achievements. Above all else, his charity work and community outreach have been known to help everyone around him to be the best Barry Cottle they can be. Securing a position as the only marketing executive on the list is Gaming Laboratories International’s V.P of Global marketing, Christie Eickelman. She is responsible for all of the company’s 20 location marketing programes, which she runs with competency and efficiency. Having joined the company in 1999 as a Marketing Manager, she has impressed time and time again, earning several promotions for her hard work and dedication. Over the past year, she has continued to build the corporate brand which she has helped shape, easily cementing herself on the shortlist. Matt Davey From a marketing executive onto the only General Counsel on the list, Phyllis Gilland is another industry veteran on our shortlist. Her talents and accomplishments in the fields of gambling law and compliance are unrivalled. As a result, Gilland joined Golden Entertainment as SVP and General Counsel last year and bringing her skills with her to help the company put its expansion plans into action. Her presence has helped the company to be well positioned to take on this period of significant growth. Last, but certainly not least, is an absolute powerhouse in the gambling Mike Dreitzer industry. As Chairman and National Spokesperson of the National Indian
Gaming Association, Ernie Stevens has overseen tribal gaming’s rise to prominence in the US gambling industry over the past few years. Most recently, Stevens has been receiving praise for his leadership during a busy and complex period for the association, following the repeal of PASPA. His leadership skills and popularity among his peers is somewhat unrivalled. He is currently in the process of completing his seventh two-year term as the leader of the organisation. With his mission to protect and preserve the general welfare of tribes through gaming in Indian country, Stevens has not only met, but surpassed, all expectations.
Phyllis Gilland
Ernie Stevens
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...to everybody who has contributed towards the success of this year’s Global Gaming Awards. Each year, the Awards somehow manage to take it to the next level, and this year was no different.The success of the 2018 Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas could not have been achieved without the support and dedication of everyone who has been involved in the rigorous process.That includes the 70 members of the Judging Panel, our largest and most esteemed panel to date, the highly-knowledgeable Nomination Panel, and our trusted voting adjudicator KPMG Isle of Man. We would also like to say a special thank you to our Lead Partner, BetConstruct, to all of the Awards’ sponsors, and to our friends at G2E Vegas. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with all of you, and yet again we have managed to create and deliver the most respected and revered awards in the global gaming industry. Want to find out who has won each accolade at the Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas 2018 but can’t make the presentation ceremony? The full results will be available at globalgamingawards.com from 8 October at 3pm.
GLOBAL GAMING AWARDS 2018 SHORTLIST
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The Global Gaming Awards, brought to you by Gambling Insider in association with G2E Vegas, the American Gaming Association, and Reed Exhibitions. Official voting adjudicator KPMG Isle of Man