Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel has announced that it has earned top honors in the prestigious 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards, securing the titles of Best Overall Casino Outside of Las Vegas and Best Native American Casino. These dual awards mark the resort’s first-ever #1 ranking in the annual readers’ poll, further solidifying its position as a premier destination for gaming, entertainment and hospitality.

“We are delighted to add Newsweek to Yaamava’s growing list of national recognitions for 2024. These awards are a testament to our best-in-class service and to the leadership of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians who make this all possible. The Tribe’s commitment to hospitality is truly unmatched,” said Kenji Hall, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino.

Thousands of voters participated in the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards, and their votes placed Yaamava’ at the forefront of the highly competitive casino and hospitality categories.

Earlier this year, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino was also named 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas and the Best Casino Restaurant for its acclaimed Pines Modern Steakhouse. Additionally, Yaamava’s sister property, Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, was named Best Casino in Las Vegas for the second consecutive year.

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Yaamava’ Resort & Casino has consistently set the gold standard for gaming, dining, entertainment, and hospitality since opening in 2021. Known for its luxurious facilities, diverse gaming options, and commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences, the resort is a must-visit destination in Southern California. The gaming floor now features over 7400 slot machines, the most of any casino in the West.

Rush Street Interactive, Inc. is proud to announce that Laura McAllister Cox, RSI’s Chief Compliance Officer, has been awarded the highly coveted Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award at the prestigious Vixio Global Regulatory Awards in London. This recognition celebrates Laura’s exceptional leadership, her instrumental role in navigating the ever-evolving regulatory landscape, and her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and responsible gaming at RSI.

The Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award highlights compliance leaders who go beyond the call of duty, leading their departments through the complexities of regulatory change while significantly elevating compliance standards across their organizations. Laura’s nomination reflects her steadfast dedication to these principles and her unmatched contributions to the gaming industry.

“Laura McAllister Cox exemplifies the qualities of a transformative compliance leader,” said Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of Rush Street Interactive. “Her vision, expertise, and unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence have not only positioned RSI as a pioneer in responsible gaming practices but also ensured that RSI consistently sets the industry standard for compliance and innovation. This award is a testament to her extraordinary impact on our company and the broader gaming landscape.”

Laura’s achievements include leading RSI to become the first U.S. operator to receive the Responsible Gaming Council’s RG Check Accreditation, an honor that underscores the company’s dedication to the safety and well-being of its customers while fostering a sustainable gaming environment. Under her guidance, RSI has also achieved market-leading profitability and strategic expansion into new jurisdictions, all while navigating complex regulatory frameworks with precision.

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As Chief Compliance Officer of publicly traded Rush Street Interactive, Laura oversees the company’s compliance strategy across a range of critical areas, including regulatory, licensing, anti-money laundering, technical compliance, and responsible gaming. Her leadership has been instrumental in building RSI’s compliance department into a world-class operation with specialized subject matter experts across these domains.

Beyond her achievements at RSI, Laura is widely regarded as one of the most respected voices in the global gaming industry. Her distinguished career spans nearly four decades and includes serving as President of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) from 2017 to 2018, as well as legal and compliance leadership roles at esteemed organizations such as Rush Street Gaming, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Gaming Partners International Corporation. Her expertise in gaming law and corporate compliance has solidified her reputation as a trusted authority in the field.

Laura’s ability to identify and cultivate exceptional talent, foster collaborative relationships with regulators, and implement forward-thinking compliance strategies has made her an unparalleled leader in the gaming industry. Her initiatives, such as yearly team summits and ongoing training programs, ensure RSI’s compliance team remains agile and equipped to address the ever-changing regulatory landscape.

“I am deeply honored to be named the Chief Compliance Officer of the Year,” said Laura McAllister Cox. “This recognition is a reflection of the incredible work of my team and RSI’s unwavering commitment to compliance excellence and responsible gaming. At RSI, we strive to lead by example and set the standard for innovation, integrity, and collaboration in the gaming industry. I am grateful to be part of a company that values these principles and to work alongside such talented professionals every day.”

The Vixio Global Regulatory Awards celebrate achievements and innovation in compliance and responsible gaming across the global gambling industry.

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Bally’s Chicago Casino has won a 2024 Torch Award for Ethics from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Chicago and Northern Illinois. The award recognizes Bally’s Chicago’s commitment to fair, honest and ethical business practices.

“It is an honor for Bally’s Chicago Casino to be recognized by the Better Business Bureau as an organization that exemplifies excellent business ethics in our very first year of operations in Chicago,” said George Papanier, President of Bally’s Corporation.

The BBB’s Torch Award honors companies that demonstrate the highest level of ethical standards and trust with customers, business partners, shareholders and the communities in which they do business. This year, the award was presented to only seven businesses in the Chicago region. An independent panel of reviewers assessed applicants in four areas: character, culture, customer and community.

Bally’s Chicago Casino earned the Torch Award for Ethics in the “500-1,499 employees” category by demonstrating how it operates with integrity, care and trustworthiness.

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Since the September 2023 opening of the temporary casino at the Medinah Temple in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, Bally’s Chicago Casino has welcomed over 1.4 million visitors, trained more than 200 students in its dealer school, hosted job and vendor fairs, and contributed to the community through charitable giving and volunteerism.

Bally’s Chicago Casino has also largely exceeded hiring goals at the temporary casino:

Total jobs: 655 (91% full-time)

Minority: 535 (82% – exceeds 60% target)

Women: 309 (47% – exceeds 45% target)

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Veterans: 12 (2% – below 5% target)

Persons with disabilities: 59 (9% – exceeds 5% target)

Chicago residents: 460 (70% – exceeds 50% target)

Bally’s Chicago Casino has also built strong relationships with its vendors and partners, including those involved in the demolition and construction of the future casino, hotel and entertainment destination on the former site of the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center.

Since opening its temporary location at the Medinah Temple in Chicago’s River North neighborhood in September 2023, Bally’s Chicago Casino has organized community engagement events, worked with workforce development organizations, hosted vendor fairs – including a diversity vendor fair – and begun demolition in preparation for a Fall 2026 opening.

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“This recognition would not be possible without the dedication of our entire team and our collective commitment to our Bally’s values,” said Papanier.