The International Gaming Awards illuminated Sin City, honoring the industry’s finest. A dozen fortunate victors claimed the sought-after accolades, as numerous influential figures from the gaming world assembled at the Venetian to witness the crowning achievements. Following months of nominations, narrowed selections, and meticulous evaluations, this electrifying evening marked a stylish commencement of the International Gaming Expo.
Our deepest gratitude extends to our incredible sponsors, encompassing industry titans such as IGT and NetEnt, whose contributions made this night a reality. A special acknowledgment goes to BetConstruct, our primary sponsor, for their exceptional efforts in rendering this year’s awards truly remarkable.
We also wish to express our appreciation for the tireless dedication of our nomination committee, our esteemed judging panel, and the team at KPMG for their professional assessment of all the candidates.
The International Gaming Awards are dedicated to recognizing the ingenuity and triumphs that propel our industry forward. We trust everyone had a delightful evening, and we eagerly anticipate repeating this celebration in 2018!
And the recipient of the Land-Based Operator of the Year distinction is… Wynn Resorts!
## And the Victor Emerges…
**The coveted title of Top Operator of the Year is bestowed upon… Wynn Resorts!** This cycle, Wynn Resorts claims victory due to a remarkable period of twelve months, culminating in the grand unveiling of Wynn Palace. This triumph ends MGM Resorts International’s three-year reign, signifying a notable alteration in the industry.
**Shifting to the online realm, the accolade for Digital Operator of the Year is presented to… bet365!** A worldwide frontrunner in internet-based gaming, bet365 persists in establishing a high standard with its dedication to advancement and a premium user experience. Boasting over 19 million patrons across 200 nations, bet365 stands as a true force within the sector.
**Turning our attention to the offerings themselves, the honor for Land-Based Product of the Year is awarded to… IGT for its Cardless Connect system!** This distinction acknowledges the product that has generated the most significant impact within the land-based gaming world. IGT secures the prize once more with Cardless Connect, its groundbreaking smartphone-powered loyalty program. Since becoming the foundation for MGM’s M life program, it has been well-received by both players and casino proprietors.
**And lastly, the award for Digital Product of the Year goes to… Evolution Gaming for its engaging creation, Dream Catcher!** This award, similar to its land-based equivalent, acknowledges a company expanding the frontiers of digital gaming. This year, Evolution Gaming receives the accolade with Dream Catcher, a game praised for its novel utilization of technology and its fresh perspective on gameplay.
This groundbreaking and captivating offering has swept the real-time gaming world, transforming the classic game of chance.
**Client Devotion Initiative**
**Victor: MGM Resorts International – M life Rewards**
Gaming establishments prevailed in this grouping, with MGM Resorts International securing the top honor for the fourth year running. Their M life Rewards system, which acknowledges patrons for practically every dollar expended across 15 MGM Resorts locations, is hailed as the most sought-after rewards system in Las Vegas. The M life Mastercard enhances their comprehensive offerings, and the adjudicators were especially struck by MGM’s exclusive M life Moments encounters.
**Online Acquisition Strategy**
**Victor: LeoVegas Affiliate Program**
With associate marketing assuming an increasingly crucial role in the expansion of internet gaming enterprises, this accolade acknowledges the marketing strategy or product that has directed the most visitors to digital operators over the preceding year. LeoVegas ultimately attained the leading position after narrowly trailing Unibet in 2016.
**Physical Industry Provider**
**Victor: Scientific Games**
Adjudicators evaluated the provider’s overall product assortment, in addition to newly acquired business and fiscal performance. Scientific Games has experienced a highly prosperous year.
Interactive entertainment providers in controlled sectors globally collaborate with this firm to utilize its collection of play offerings, technological advancements, customized initiatives, and overseen solutions, which persist in captivating contemporary gamers in novel and exhilarating manners.
**Online Sector Provider**
**Victorious:** NYX Gaming Group
NYX Gaming Group secured the most sought-after accolade for leaders in the internet-based gaming product provision domain. In the previous year, both NYX Gaming Group and OpenBet received nominations; nevertheless, a significant merger substantially enhanced NYX’s sports wagering market supply capacity, aiding its acquisition of the Online Sector Provider of the Year designation.
**Physical Gaming Advancement**
**Victorious:** IGT – SPHINX 4D
IGT has continuously endeavored to revolutionize the gaming sector by presenting products that establish unprecedented benchmarks for ingenuity within the land-based market. IGT’s SPHINX 4D game embodies the pinnacle of innovation the provider delivers, crafting a novel era of gaming encounters. Our assessment committee was astounded by this game, deeming it a genuine trailblazer in the field.
**Online Gaming Advancement**
**Victorious:** Betgenius – Esports Trading
Betgenius attained the Online Gaming Advancement of the Year honor for its esports trading system. The enterprise is a genuine forerunner in esports trading, furnishing as many as 50 in-play markets spanning 15 games.
With the rapid expansion of competitive gaming and its viewership, Betgenius’ groundbreaking efforts have set the stage for any aspiring operator aiming to leverage this surge.
**A Positive Influence**
**Recipient: Sportradar**
This year’s contenders encompassed both physical and virtual domains. Sportradar garnered recognition for its dedication to tackling deception within sports wagering. Through its Integrity Services seminars, the organization educates stakeholders in the betting realm on the mechanics of match manipulation and furnishes vital knowledge on how to deter these detrimental activities from affecting the sector.
**Spearheading Progress in Europe**
**Recipient: Mor Weizer**
Mor Weizer received accolades this year for guiding Playtech to prosperity in an exemplary manner. The enterprise attained nearly 20% earnings growth in 2016 while boldly venturing into unexplored areas. Playtech delved into the UK’s horse racing market, secured a multi-year agreement with Warner Bros, and became the inaugural operator to effectively penetrate the Czech Republic’s online gaming sector.
