Eilers & Krejcik Gaming Announces Winners for 2nd Annual EKG Slot Awards Show
Event held on February 27th at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, March 4, 2020 -- Eilers & Krejcik Gaming (EKG) is proud to announce the category winners for the 2nd Annual EKG Slot Awards. This event was produced by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC and was designed to recognize excellence in slot machine game development within the land-based casino gaming industry and interactive gaming sector. All category winners were announced on February 27th at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.“On behalf of everyone at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, I would like to thank all award nominees for participating in the 2nd Annual EKG Slot Awards”, said Todd Eilers, Principal at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC. “I would also like to thank our Board of Advisors, Official Voters, VIPs, and our Event Sponsors.” It was a great night celebrating excellence in the slot sector with approximately 210 executives in attendance from all the major gaming equipment suppliers as well as several of theindustry’s largest casino operators and key media representatives.The land-based category winners for the 2nd annual EKG Slot Awards were determined by the official voting from over 150 qualified slot managers and slot directors representing over 300 casinos across the U.S. and Canadian markets and representing roughly 350,000 total slot machines. For the Social Casino and iGaming segments, winners were determined by voting from a distinguished panel of industry experts. A complete listing of the winners for the 2nd annual EKG Slot Awards is provided on the following page.Link to Event Photoshttps://www.dropbox.com/sh/s5gzhut6jmqe528/AABtvFXsf4xbQHFsDteXPAq3a?dl=0Land-based Awards
1. Top Performing Core Video Reel Game
Buffalo Gold – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNERDancing Drums – Scientific GamesFate Of The 8 Power Wheel – Incredible TechnologiesFortune Coin – IGTFu Nan Fu Nu – AGSSelexion – KonamiSuper Charged 7’S – Quick Spin – Ainsworth
2. Top Performing Core Mechanical Reel Game
88 Fortunes – Scientific Games – 2019 WINNERBlack Diamond – EveriQuick Hit Triple Blazing 7s Super Wheel – Scientific GamesRed Hot Tamales – IGTTriple Double Diamonds Free Games – IGT
3. Top Performing Premium Game
Buffalo Diamond – AristocratDragon Link – Happy And Prosperous – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNERJin Ji Bao Xi – Rising Fortunes – Scientific GamesSmokin Hot Stuff Wicked Wheel – EveriWheel of Fortune: Exotic Far East – IGT
4. Top Performing NEW Video Reel Core Game
Buffalo Gold Revolution – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNERCoin O Mania – IGTFu Dai Lian Lian Dragon – AristocratFu Dao Le Riches – Scientific GamesGriffins Throne – IGTHeidi & Hannahs Bier Haus – Scientific GamesMoney Ball Inferno – EveriMultiplay Super Charged 7s – AinsworthRakin Bacon – AGSTreasure Ball – Lion Carnival – Konami
5. Top Performing NEW Mechanical Reel Core Game
Cash Flurry – AristocratCash Machine – Everi – 2019 WINNERCash Flurry – AristocratEasy Riches – EveriTriple Double Diamond Progressive Free Games – IGT
6. Top Performing NEW Premium Game
Buffalo Diamond – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNERDancing Drums Explosion: Casino Royal – Scientific GamesFarmville – AristocratJin Ji Bao Xi – Rising FortunesSparkle – Scientific GamesShark Week – Jaws Of Steel – EveriWheel Of Fortune – Exotic Far East – Cash Link:
7. Top Performing NEW Cabinet – Core
Infinity Summit – Incredible TechnologiesKx 43 – KonamiMars X – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNERMuso Curve 43– AruzeOrion Slant – AGSTwinstar Wave Xl– Scientific Games
8. Top Performing NEW Cabinet – Premium
Crystalcurve True 4D – IGTEdge X – AristocratEmpire 5527 – EveriFlame 55 – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNERInfinity Pilot – Incredible TechnologiesTwinstar Wave Xl – Scientific Games
9. Top Performing 3rd Party IP Branded Game
Farmville– AristocratJames Bond: Casino Royal – Scientific GamesShark Week – Jaws of Steel – Everi – 2019 WINNERTarzan– AristocratWheel of Fortune – Triple Gold Gold Spin – IGT
10. Top Performing Proprietary Branded Game
Buffalo Diamond– AristocratColossal Diamonds – AGSCrazy Money Deluxe– Incredible TechnologiesDragon Link – Happy And Prosperous – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNERFortune Gong Phoenix – IGTJin Ji Bao Xi – Rising Fortunes – Scientific GamesLightning Link – AristocratUltimate Fire Link: By the Bay – Scientific Games
11. Top Performing Electronic Table Game (ETG)
Interblock – Roulette – 2019 WINNERIGT – RouletteAruze – CrapsInterblock – BaccaratAlfastreet – RouletteScientific Games – BlackjackScientific Games – Roulette
12. Top Performing Video Poker game
All Star Poker 2 – IGTDouble Double Match Card Draw Poker – Scientific GamesUltimate X – IGT – 2019 WINNERWinners World Multigame – Aristocrat
13. Top Performing Interactive Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM)
GemFlux! – Gamblit – 2019 WINNERMahJong – Synergy BlueMultiplayer Arena – GameCoRunning Rich Reels – Competition Interactive
14. Most Improved Supplier – Core Sponsored by Gaming Analytics
IGT – 2019 WINNERAll Suppliers Considered
15. Most Improved Supplier – Premium
Everi – 2019 WINNERAll Suppliers Considered
16. Best Overall Supplier of Slot Content
Aristocrat – 2019 WINNERAll Suppliers ConsideredSocial Casino Awards
17. Best New Social Casino Game
Cash Frenzy Slots Casino – Bole GamesDouble Win Casino Slots – Avid.lyGame of Thrones Slots Casino – Zynga – 2019 WINNERTycoon Casino – Vegas Slots – Triwin GamesVideo Poker by Pokerist – KamaGames
18.Most Innovative Social Slot Game
Huuuge Games – Huuuge CasinoScatter Slots – Murka – 2019 WINNERPOP! Slots – PlayStudiosMONOPOLY Slots – SciPlayGame of Throne Slots Casino – Zynga
19. Best Use of Land-Based Content in a Social Slot Game
Cashman Casino featuring Aristocrat content (published by Product Madness)DoubleDown Casino featuring IGT content (published by Double Down Interactive)High 5 Casino featuring High 5 Games content (published by High 5 Games)Jackpot Party Casino featuring SciGames content – SciPlaymy KONAMIfeaturing Konami content (published by PlayStudios) – 2018 WINNER
20. Top Social Casino Company – Sponsored by Aarki
AristocratBole GamesHuuuge GamesPlayStudiosPlaytikaSciPlay – 2019 WINNERiGaming Awards (Real-Money Online Gaming)
21. Best Overall Supplier of Online Table Games
Evolution – 2019 WINNERIGTNetEnt
22. Best New Online Slot
Fu Nan Fu Nu– AGSGoldstruck – High 5 GamesHalloween Jack – NetEntJin Ji Bao Xi Endless Treasures – Scientific GamesQuick Hit Ultra Pays Sun Dragon – Scientific Games – 2019 WINNERStar Watch Fire – KonamiWolf Ridge – IGT
23. Top Performing Online Slot
88 Fortunes – Scientific Games – 2019 WINNERBlack Diamond – EveriBonanza Megaway’s – Big Time GamingCleopatra – IGTDivine Fortune – NetEntMaximus Soldier of Rome – InspiredMerlin’s Millions Superbet – NextGen Gaming
2019 Hall of Fame Inductee
Ernie Moody
Thank you to our sponsors
Platinum
Cocktail Reception
Silver
After Party
Single Awards
Media
The EKG Slot Awards – Land Based Casino Advisory Board
Skyelar Perkins – is Corporate Senior Director of Slot Operations for the Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. Skyelar oversees the slot operations across 22 individual properties in southeastern Oklahoma totaling approximately 10,000 slot machines. The Choctaw’s flagship property is located in Durant,OK and has 4,300 slot machines and is one of the largest casinos in North America.Mike Laubach – is the Corporate VP of Slot Operations for Boyd Gaming Corporation. Mike oversees the slot operations for 29 individual properties across 10 different states totaling 38,000 slot machines. Boyd Gaming is one of the largest casino operators in the world in terms of both revenue and number of slot machines installed.Roger Pettersson – is the Vice President of Corporate Slot Operations for Red Rock Resorts. Roger oversees the slot operations across 21 individual casinos with roughly 22,000 slot machines. Station Casinos (or now called Red Rock Resorts) is the largest Las Vegas based local’s casino operator inthe state of Nevada.Todd Eilers – is a Principal at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, where he is responsible for leading all market research and consulting services related to the Gaming Equipment & Technology sector within thecasino gaming industry. Todd created the gaming industry’s largest slot survey tracking industrydemand and market share trends and is one of the leading voices in the Gaming Equipment sector.Marcus Prater – Currently serves as Executive Director of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), a non-profit trade organization comprised of the world top gaming industry suppliers whose mission is to further the interests of its members throughout the world.Dan Cherry – is the Corporate Vice President of Gaming for Penn National Gaming. Dan oversees the gaming operations across 40 individual casinos with roughly 50,000 slot machines. Penn National Gaming is one of the largest casino operators in the world in terms of both revenue and number of slot machines installed.Rick Eckert – Currently serves as Managing Director – Slot Performance & Analytics at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. Prior to joining EKG, Mr. Eckert worked at Wynn Resorts as Manager of Slot Administration, Analytics, and Operations, where he was recognized as “Manager of the Year” in 2016. Mr. Eckertpreviously worked for MGM Resorts International as a Slot Analyst at Luxor, Excalibur, and thenBellagio upon completing the company’s leadership development program.Ron Nesbitt – is the Corporate VP of Gaming at Wind Creek Hospitality. Ron oversees all gaming activities at a corporate level for Wind Creek Hospitality, which is the principal gaming and hospitality entity of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Wind Creek owns and operates six casino properties in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and the Caribbean totaling approximately 10,000 slot machines. Prior to joining Wind Creek, Mr. Nesbitt held various operational roles within Caesars Entertainment over a seventeen year period.
The EKG Slot Awards – Interactive Gaming Advisory Board
Lior Shiff – is an entrepreneur and active investor in early stage companies. He is currently the Co- Founder & CEO and of Tripledot Studios, a mobile game studio based in London. Previously he was the Co-founder and CEO of Product Madness, a leading social casino company that was sold to Aristocrat.Brett Nowak – is the Founder & CEO of Liquid & Grit, a leading provider of product insight and business intelligence reports for the social casino gaming industry. Previously he worked at Zynga as a Lead Product Manager and Blue Shell Games as a Director of Product.Niko Vuori - is a proven entrepreneur with a passion for consumer products and technology. He is currently the Founder & CEO of Drivetime, which is developing next generation of interactive entertainment for drivers. He was previously Co-Founder & COO of Rocket Games, a social casino company that was sold to Penn National Gaming in 2016.Lloyd Melnick – is a Gaming industry veteran with over 20 years of experience. He is currently Director of StarsPlay (The Stars Group), where he is responsible for building and leading social casino, slots, and poker products. He has previously worked for Zynga, Spooky Cool Labs, and The Walt Disney Company.Adam Krejcik – is a Principal at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, where he is responsible for leading all research and consulting services related to the interactive gaming industry. He has become one of the leading voices in the social casino industry and his quarterly research reports have become the gold standard.Kirsten Bond – General Manager, Gamesys. Ms. Bond has been in online gambling sector for nearly 20 years, joining Gamesys in 2008. Gamesys operates one of NJ’s first legal online casino’s, VirginCasino.com, as well as managed services for fellow operators from Gamesys’ s New Jerseyoffice.Chris Grove – is Managing Director of Sports Betting & Emerging Verticals for Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. Grove is a nationally recognized subject matter expert on the subject of the U.S. regulated sports betting landscape. His insights and research regarding the sports betting industry have been quoted in hundreds of articles, including outlets such as Bloomberg, ESPN, Forbes, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.Dermot S. Smurfit – brings deep operational & management experience in Internet gaming through his years in GAN together with his M&A, strategic advisory and private equity financing experience in the gaming technology space. Dermot is a qualified UK attorney specialized in corporate finance.In 2012 Dermot was identified among the Internet gaming Industry’s ‘Top10 Supplier Superstars’ byspecialist Industry publication Gaming Intelligence.Thomas Winter – is SVP and General Manager of Online Gaming of Golden Nugget, the award winning, US number 1 online gaming operator. Prior to that, Winter served as CEO of Betclic, a major European online sports betting brand, helping the business grow organically 10 folds to $200m revenues over 3 years. He was also responsible for Expekt.com, which he merged with Betclic. Prior to joining Betclic, he spent 9 years in the Telco and Sports Media industries, notably as a Marketing and Sales Director. Thomas Winter holds an MBA from ESSEC business school in Paris.About Eilers & Krejcik Gaming:Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC is a boutique research and consulting firm focused on servicing the gaming equipment, interactive gaming, and sports betting sectors within the global gaming industry. Our products and services primarily include market research, company research, and consulting and advisory services designed specifically for land based & online casino operators, equipment & technology suppliers, social gaming operators & suppliers, gaming regulators, and institutional investors. Additional information regarding our research products and advisory services can be obtained calling Todd Eilers at (949) 387-7701, or visiting our website at www.ekgamingllc.com .
