Each year companies that manufacture technology for the gaming sector participate and compete for your time at all or some of the 30+ gaming shows that are held worldwide. In the US the major show is the G2E (held each year in November at the Las Vegas Convention Center), followed by the World Game Protection Conference hosted and managed by Willy Allison. The G2E is considered the largest gaming show on earth; however interestingly enough it is the Gaming Technology Summit hosted by Casino Journal’s Charles Anderer that gains the most attention for the diversity of technology and companies that participate. Each year, the Gaming Technology Summit also features a keynote luncheon and awards presentation to the Casino Journal’s “Most Innovative Gaming Technology Award” winners. This year, a lineup of 80 products competed for a “Top 20” spot on the list. The winners were selected by a panel of expert judges comprised of casino executives responsible for the development, implementation and operations of Commercial and Indian gaming resorts in North America. These esteemed judges (below) know a thing or two about what casinos need when it comes to innovative gaming technology.
- Blake Cumbers, vice president of development, Boyd Gaming, Las Vegas;
- Jay Fennel, principal, Pfie Gaming Consulting, Las Vegas;
- Troy Simpson, senior vice president of innovation, Barona Resort Casino, Lakeside, Calif.;
- Gregg Solomon, chief executive officer, Motor City Casino, Detroit.
So why do these awards really matter? The first and foremost reason is obvious – for companies who take home the top prizes, there are publicity and branding benefits associated with winning. But if you’re a casino professional, there is also a value in it for you. How else can you feel assured that an emerging technology is the real deal? And how else can you be sure it is a fit for your business?
If there’s a thread that pulls together Casino Journal’s Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Technology Products Awards this year, it is that “the future really is now!” The products that made the grade, including NICE Inform, represent forward-thinking, novel concepts designed to take casinos to the next level.
In their review of NICE Inform, the judges noted: “For operators that have a heavy burden of costly scams this may be a beneficial tool to assist in managing investigations.” One judge added: “This product shows promise in expediting casino investigations and potential to mitigate losses from scams.”
Click here to read more about all of the innovative solutions hand-picked by the judges.
And now, a question for you – do industry awards influence which products or solutions you are willing to invest in or evaluate?
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