Global Gaming Women (GGW) has announced the 14th Annual Kick Up Your Heels premier fundraising event to support the GGW Charitable Education Fund. The event supports scholarships and other development offerings for professional women in the gaming industry and celebrates honorees of the Patty Becker Pay It Forward award on Wednesday, October 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at XS Nightclub at Wynn, Las Vegas. Tickets are $200 per attendee, increasing to $300 on September 28.

GGW has also announced the return of Sip & Social with Guest Speakers Brittany Driscoll, co-founder and chief executive officer at Squeeze, and Hayley Paige, creative director and chief inspiration officer at SHE IS CHEVAL. This will take place on Thursday, October 10, from 8 to 10 a.m. inside The Venetian Ballroom on Level 2 of The Venetian Expo. Tickets are $52 per attendee, increasing to $60 on the week of the event. Registration is required. In addition, this event will also celebrate the honorees of CDC Gaming Reports’ “10 Women Rising in Gaming”, in partnership with Global Gaming Women.

Current and prospective GGW members, partners, and allies are invited to the G2E GGW Retreat, as a dedicated space for networking, podcasting, headshots, and swag, on Tuesday, October 8, and Wednesday, October 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Venetian Conference Center, Lando 4201AB-4203, 4th Floor. Guests can enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and a variety of snacks. Refresh at the glam station and take advantage of free professional headshots by Shannon Mason Photography, available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Unwind with a leg and foot massage, recharge at the electronic charging stations, and reinspire yourself at the podcast booth, featuring industry leaders, legends, and the next generation of GGW trailblazers.

Directly prior to the opening of G2E on Sunday, October 6 at El Cortez Hotel & Casino, GGW will celebrate the official awards ceremony for 10 Women Rising in Gaming, presented in partnership with CDC Gaming Reports. All honorees will be recognized during this inaugural celebration event.

Advertisement

GGW leadership continues the essential pillar of work as the leading gaming industry non-profit dedicated to supporting, inspiring, and influencing the development of professional women, with participation in a series of educational panels during G2E with three distinctive panels.

“Global Gaming Women is leading an exciting lineup of educational programs at this year’s G2E. Starting with Monday’s sessions, followed by the 14th Annual Kick Up Your Heels Fundraiser on Wednesday evening, and culminating in Thursday morning’s inspirational keynote at Sip & Social, we’re also thrilled to unveil the all-new GGW retreat—a dedicated space for our members to network and engage in exclusive experiences throughout the event. Thanks to the steadfast support of our generous sponsors, we can continue offering these enriching opportunities for connection, empowerment, and collaboration. Together, we’re advancing women’s success and enhancing our industry,” said Lauren Bates, President & Board Chair of Global Gaming Women.

A mix of high-profile sponsorship opportunities are available in support of Global Gaming Women’s event offering at G2E, including the Kick Up Your Heels Fundraiser and the Sip & Social networking breakfast event. In addition, GGW’s mission is realized year-round by the support of sustaining sponsors.

A record progressive jackpot of more than $2 million continues to climb on a $1 million Dragon Link slot machine by Aristocrat Gaming. The huge jackpot is up for grabs at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

The $1 denomination Dragon Link slot is a single-site progressive (SSP) and is located in the high-limit slots area of the Hollywood casino, famous through the world for its iconic Guitar Hotel. The slot machine’s progressive jackpot increases independently from other Dragon Link slots at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and elsewhere.

The jackpot is climbing by an average of $7,000 per day and is on track to become one of the largest slot machine payouts in Seminole Gaming history and the largest Dragon Link jackpot ever awarded. Players at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood have a chance to be a part of jackpot history.

“It’s exciting to witness the Dragon Link jackpot grow to an unprecedented amount. The game has been a favorite since its release, and with this amazing prize now up for grabs, our players have the potential for a huge win,” said David Hoenemeyer, Chief Operating Officer of Seminole Gaming.

Advertisement

“We are incredibly proud of the fanfare Dragon Link has amassed over the years, and this historic milestone reinforces player excitement for the brand. The Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood team have been incredible partners and huge supporters of our $1 million Dragon Link offering. We can’t wait to be a part of the celebration of this record-breaking jackpot,” said Kurt Gissane, Chief Revenue Officer for Aristocrat Gaming.

Since its debut at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood in June 2021, Dragon Link has consistently drawn in players with its exciting high-denomination offering, which includes a $25 minimum bet and a $2,500 max bet. The casino-resort was the first in the world to feature the $1 million Dragon Link progressive, and today, it remains one of the most popular high-limit slot games available.

The impact of Dragon Link on the gaming landscape has been immense, cementing its status as a player favorite. While Aristocrat Gaming continues to push boundaries with innovative offerings, the latest jackpot at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood represents a new milestone in gaming entertainment.

The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) has participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness Community Walk,” on Saturday, September 7, which raised more than $280,000. Led by team members from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, employees from every casino property participated in Saturday’s walk.

“We are so very proud that every Atlantic City casino property has united with Hard Rock to raise awareness and funding for this important cause. We are extremely grateful that our efforts will help to make a difference in the lives of many and aid the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s with life-saving initiatives,” said Mike Sampson, General Manager at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City & AFSP NJ Chapter Board Member.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was the first Atlantic City casino to participate in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk over the last five years through Sampson’s leadership. The team at Hard Rock was driven to participate annually after the group’s personal experiences with loved ones who died by suicide.

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the US. In 2022, nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide. In New Jersey, suicide is impacting the state’s youngest residents. According to the most recent CDC data, 94 youth ages 10 to 24 died by suicide in 2021, making it the second leading cause of death among youth in that age range for the state. The National Institute of Health reports 20% of children ages 3 to 17 have either a mental or a behavioral disorder. Between 2008 and 2020, suicide rates for children ages 12 to 17 increased by 16%, according to the institute.

Advertisement

“This show of force from across our casino properties demonstrates the industry’s commitment to this vital issue. Sadly, so many families across our city, state and country know a loved one that has died by suicide, and that is why it’s so important for us to come together to raise awareness and support each other,” said Mark Giannantonio, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide.

“We are honored and grateful for the continued partnership with Hard Rock in the fight to prevent suicide and reduce the stigma around mental health. With their support, the Atlantic-Cape Walk has grown to be the Chapter’s largest walk, raising $7000 in 2017 to over $278,000 last year. Through Hard Rock’s leadership we have been able to engage the communities of Atlantic and Cape Counties to raise awareness, bring comfort to those who have lost someone to suicide and to raise critical funds for suicide prevention,” said Michael Lamma, AFSP Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer.