An ambitious project, the International Gaming Awards 2008 was, by all accounts, a success. Attendees praised it, the industry responded and it looks like it could be here to stay. Of course, the event is still in its infancy, but with the drive and passion showed by organisers Empire Events, no-one would bet against it sticking around – and growing.
Highlights of the evening, held at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, included an auction for a Ralph Steadman painting, which was won by Group Partouche. The winning bid of £4,700 goes to Care International, one of the event's beneficiaries (the other being Macmillan Cancer Support). Steadman is best known for his work with Gonzo journalist Hunter S Thompson and his distinct visual style.
Tobias Ellwood, the UK's Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport opened the awards with a speech about the future of the industry in the UK.

And without further ado, the winners are:

Casino Operator Europe Winner: Casinos Austria
Paul Herzfeld, CEO Casinos Austria commented: "We feel very excited and exhilarated to have won the award for the best Casino Operator in Europe. It is a wonderful recognition and we are very proud."
 
Socially Responsible Casino Operator of the Year Winner: Holland Casinos
"We are extremely proud of this international recognition," says Dick Flink, CEO of Holland Casino. "Holland Casino has adopted the tenets of Responsible Gaming Policy within its strategy, in order to render the organization's place 'at the centre of society' visible to all. The Responsible Gaming Policy provides an excellent example of how Holland Casino fulfils its social responsibility. More important, recent results of a nationwide addiction survey (by LADIS) reports a decrease of registered problem gamblers of 12%. It is likely that the measures taken within our Responsible Gaming Policy have a substantial contribution."

Slot Manufacturer Winner: Bally Technologies
 
Casino Equipment Supplier Winner: Bally Technologies
Gavin Isaacs, COO Bally Technologies commented: "We feel very honoured and excited to have won two awards. We are only just re-inventing ourselves in Europe so this is a great start."

Hot Shot Winner: Red Planet Gaming
Vahe Baloulian, CEO Red Planet Gaming said: "We feel very honoured to have received an award as we are the only online company recognised by the gaming industry. To be a part of these prestigious awards was a huge thrill."

Innovation Award Winner: Slingshot 2 by Cammegh
Andrew Cammegh, Director enthused: "The gaming industry is a fast moving and exciting industry, with operators and suppliers alike focused on capturing and maintaining a customer base by providing innovative, and quality products and services. By winning the Gaming Awards 2008 category for Innovation we feel we received some valuable recognition in addition to our commercial success for the hard work and investment we have committed into developing Slingshot 2, a GLI 11 approved and precision engineered automatic roulette wheel, especially considering the notable and internationally respected competition."

Casino Operator Asia Winner: Genting Corporation
Genting Corporation could not be with us at the awards as they are observing their 100 day mourning period for the loss of the founding father of Genting, Lim goh Tong, however they thank the Gaming Awards and are honoured to accept and will hope to join with us in 2009.

Technology Manufacturer Winner: Progressive Gaming
Tim Parker, Sales Director at Progressive Gaming said: "We are delighted to have been awarded the Gaming Awards best Technology Manufacturer. The timing is ideal as at this year's ICE exhibition we have showcased new and exciting technology such as our RFID technology for Roulette, which has been very well received by customers. To receive the recognition at the Gaming Awards for our achievements is fantastic and I would like to thank everyone who voted for us."

Slot Machine Game Winner: King Kong Cash by Atronic International
Anette Jauch, Marketing Director Atronic International commented: "We feel extremely honoured that King Kong Cash has been chosen by the International jury. The King Kong Cash linked gaming concept has been very popular with players in the international market and its great that a panel of gaming experts recognised its potential."

Bingo Operator Winner: Groupe Codere
Jose Ramon Ortzar, Country Manager of the group in Italy said: "Codere's leadership in the private gaming sector in the Spanish-speaking market and expressed the companies appreciation of this recognition which encourages us to continue to strive and excel."
 
Casino Interior Design Winner: Crown Macau-Melco PBL Gaming Ltd

Casino Journal/Magazine Offline or Online Winner: Casino Review

Gaming Equipment Design Winner: PokerPro by Aristocrat

Casino Operator USA Winner: MGM Mirage

New Casino Winner: Venetian Macau Resort- Sands Corporation

Outstanding Contribution Award Winner: Michael Boettcher

Best Poker Room Winner: Bellagio Las Vegas


Colin Thompson, of Empire Events, spoke to Casino International after hosting their hugely successful show. Looking forward to 2009, he said: "With the next awards in 09, we're hoping to expand the panel to include more operators, but we still need the mix of manufacturers, magazine editors and operators so we can judge each category fairly.
"We have had an invitation to hold the next event in Macau from an operator, but most likely we will hold that event [2009 in London and then look to move internationally for the 2010 awards.
"Our plan is to deliver it in Macau and Las Vegas on each of the shows, though the ICE show is probably the most international of the shows. We're still looking for growth there, then we will review it for the 2010 event.
"Of course, then there's the problem of inconsistent dates, as Macau is in June and Las Vegas [G2E] is November. But the reason to expand to that is to involve all of the international manufacturers and operators, and to make it a truly international event. It depends, of course, on the feedback from attendees – if feedback says we like it in London and we prefer to keep it there then fine."
With all the event's sponsors from 2008 already agreeing to sponsor the 2009 event, it seems the International Gaming Awards have been welcomed warmly by the industry.

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