awards
EPIC retain SBC’s Player Protection award for a third consecutive year
EPIC Global Solutions have completed a hat-trick of wins at the prestigious SBC Awards North America, having been named as the event’s ‘Player Protection Service Provider of the Year’ for a third year in a row.
The globally-leading specialists in mitigating gambling-related harm were recognised once again at the New York ceremony, at an event that acknowledges excellence across all aspects of the gambling industry across North America.
EPIC provides a range of consultancy, education and training services around recognising signs of problem gambling to a range of sectors across the continent, with a particular focus on working with sports organisations, gambling operators and gambling industry regulators.
The company’s work in conjunction with the NCAA and Entain Foundation US – which has seen over 55,000 student-athletes and staff at more than 200 US college campuses educated on gambling-related harm in the past three years – was highlighted within the nomination for the award, and drew praise from EPIC’s CEO and founder Paul Buck, who explained:
“There are now 38 states where sports gambling is legalised. Gambling is growing, so the level of harm that will come will also grow.
“Recognising player protection at events like this wasn’t happening five or ten years ago, but it’s becoming an increasingly bigger issue and we’re glad to be at the front of that and hope to remain that way for the next five years and beyond.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without the lived experience facilitators who go out there and tell their stories day in, day out, all around the country in each of the 52 states that we work in.
“I’d also like to make some special mentions to the NCAA, who work with us massively on the front foot on a topic which is becoming bigger and bigger within the student-athlete population, and the Entain Foundation US, who have been there helping to fund programmes like ours for the past few years.”
Lived experience is at the heart of everything that EPIC does, with the lessons taken from the harm experienced earlier in life by around half of its current workforce being the driving force behind the company’s mission and the knowledge that informs the programmes it delivers.
Therefore, Buck is incredibly proud of the team contribution that has once again been recognised via the award at SBC’s showpiece event in the US. He added:
“It’s always nice just to be here and spread our message and meet friends, clients and stakeholders, but to come away and win this award three times on the trot is fantastic.
“It just shows that the level of work we do and the impact that we’re having is growing and growing, year by year, which makes us even more proud to win it. I’m so incredibly proud, not just of the work we do, but of the people who work within EPIC.”
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.
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.
awards
Vibra Gaming win double awards at SBC LatAm 2024 – “Bingo & Lottery Supplier of the Year” AND silver for “Casino & iGaming Supplier”
Go-to LatAm online and land-based content and platform technology provider claims biggest prizes so far
Vibra Gaming, the ‘go-to’ content and platform developer for the LatAm region, has won its most significant awards in its five-year history, claiming both ‘Bingo & Lottery Supplier of the year’ and silver for ‘Casino & iGaming Supplier of the year’ at the SBC LatAm Awards.
The rapidly growing provider, that has made huge inroads in the LatAm market in 2023-24 across its three divisions; Vibra Gaming, Vibra Solutions and Vibra VLT, claimed the awards ahead of several larger and more well-established competitors.
In the bingo and lottery category the judges recognized Vibra for its pioneering approach to instant lottery products. Its Scratch-a-lot titles are unique in the market, and its EGM platform is specifically designed for LatAm.
Plans are already in place to expand its content portfolio across hundreds more video lottery terminals in Brazil following the great reception of its games on VLTs in the states of Paraíba and Maranhão. The company also plans to distribute content in terminals in Mexico, Peru, and Argentina in the coming months.
In the casino and iGaming category Vibra was rewarded for its high-performing proprietary content development and distribution that has formed the bedrock of the business since its foundation.
Ramiro Atucha, CEO, Vibra Gaming, said: “To see our efforts recognised across flagship categories that touch all three of our business divisions, and to win ahead of so many fantastic other suppliers, is one of the highlights of our journey as a company so far. To say we’re thrilled would be an understatement!
“These awards prove how far we’ve come in such a short space of time and justify all the effort every individual puts into Vibra every single day. I’m so pleased for everyone involved and I’d like to thank them all. They deserve this success.”
Founded four years ago by a management team of highly experienced industry experts with decades of land-based and online experience, Vibra Gaming has emerged as one of the most exciting and innovative content studios and software developers in the industry and rapidly grown to become the LatAm market’s ‘go-to’ partner for local and international operators.
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