Gaming Awards
SBC Reveals Shortlists for Game Developer Awards, Recognising Top Industry Talent
SBC is thrilled to announce that the shortlists, recognising and celebrating the game development studios and teams behind the industry’s most successful titles, for the prestigious CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards are now in.
Relax Gaming leads the pack with an impressive ten nominations across multiple categories. ELK Studios follows with six nominations, while Blueprint Gaming and Light & Wonder make a strong showing, boasting five nominations each.
The awards ceremony, which takes place during the CasinoBeats Summit conference and exhibition, will take place at the InterContinental Hotel on 25 May. The lavish event will be attended by 400 guests and presented by Trudy Kerr.
The ‘Streamer of the Year’ category, which recognises the rising importance of streamers who, with their influential presence, shape the landscape of the industry, saw the shortlist narrowed down to ten remarkable streamers: Brian Christopher, CasinoDaddy, Chipmonkz, Juicy_Spins, Kim Hultman, Roshtein, SlotsMarko, Trainwreckstv, William Barnes (Hideous Slots), and xQc.
The Game Performance categories, which were not open for nominations, saw a highly-contested Slot of the Year category with ten shortlisted entries, including two entries (Cowboy Coins and Down the Rails) from last year’s winner, Pragmatic Play. Relax Gaming is poised to challenge Pragmatic Play’s dominance with two entries of their own – Dead Riders Trail and Money Train 3, in hopes of claiming the coveted title.
In the Best Studio Debut Game category, four exciting slots will compete for the top spot, including Mustang Freedom by Barbara Bang, Dog Days by Nailed It! Games, Wildfire West by Rogue, and Barti’s Treasure by Wild Gaming.
In the Slot Legacy Title category, three titles from Blueprint Gaming (Deal or No Deal, Fishin Frenzy, Ted) and two from NetEnt (Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst) have been shortlisted, competing against five other established titles. Meanwhile, the Slot Collaboration of the Year category will feature a total of six contenders, and in the Slot to Watch category, three out of nine shortlisted titles are from Relax Gaming (Cluster Tumble Dream Drop, Money Train 4, and Money Train Origins Dream Drop).
The shortlisted companies for the Game Innovation Spotlight Award will have the opportunity to showcase their games at the CasinoBeats Summit’s Game Innovation Stage on the exhibition floor and pitch their games to a panel of esteemed judges. Among the entries are games from renowned companies such as Caleta Gaming, ELK Studios, Wazdan, Vibra Gaming, and many others.
In the six Game Creation categories that were open for nominations, Blue Guru Games has been shortlisted for two categories, including Game Music/Soundtrack with two entries, and Game Retro-style with one entry. ELK Studios has been nominated for Game Design and Art Direction, Game Mechanic of the Year, Game Music/Soundtrack, and Game Retro-style. Hacksaw Gaming has been shortlisted for three categories, including Game Design & Art Direction, Game Mechanic of the Year, and Game Music/Soundtrack. Relax Gaming has been nominated for four categories, including Game Design & Art Direction, Game Feature of the Year, Game Music/Soundtrack, and Game Retro-style. Swintt has been shortlisted for three categories, including Game Feature of the Year, Game Licensed Content, and Game Music/Soundtrack.
In the Game People categories that were also open for nominations, the list of talented individuals who have been shortlisted in their respective categories – Product Manager, Game Designer, Game Composer – for their notable contributions to the game industry can be accessed on the dedicated website.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of the event organiser SBC, said: “I am thrilled that this year we’ve added three Game People categories to the Game Developer Awards for the first time ever. It’s a fantastic opportunity to not only celebrate the best studios and titles in the business but also the amazing people who make it all happen. Can’t wait for the ceremony and want to give a big shoutout to all our sponsors for their support in making this night one filled with celebrations and positive vibes. Congratulations to all the shortlisted companies and individuals!”
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2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel Named #1 Best Overall Casino Outside of Las Vegas and #1 Best Native American Casino in 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards
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.
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.
Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award
Rush Street Interactive’s Laura McAllister Cox Named Chief Compliance Officer of the Year at Vixio Global Regulatory Awards
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.
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.
2024 Torch Award for Ethics
Bally’s Chicago Casino Wins Better Business Bureau’s 2024 Torch Award for Ethics
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.
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)
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.
“This recognition would not be possible without the dedication of our entire team and our collective commitment to our Bally’s values,” said Papanier.
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