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 the industry'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 Photos
Land-based Awards
1. Top Performing Core Video Reel Game
- Buffalo Gold – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNER
- Dancing Drums – Scientific Games
- Fate Of The 8 Power Wheel – Incredible Technologies
- Fortune Coin – IGT
- Fu Nan Fu Nu – AGS
- Selexion – Konami
- Super Charged 7's – Quick Spin – Ainsworth
2. Top Performing Core Mechanical Reel Game
- 88 Fortunes – Scientific Games – 2019 WINNER
- Black Diamond – Everi
- Quick Hit Triple Blazing 7s Super Wheel – Scientific Games
- Red Hot Tamales – IGT
- Triple Double Diamonds Free Games – IGT
3. Top Performing Premium Game
- Buffalo Diamond – Aristocrat
- Dragon Link – Happy And Prosperous – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNER
- Jin Ji Bao Xi – Rising Fortunes – Scientific Games
- Smokin Hot Stuff Wicked Wheel – Everi
- Wheel of Fortune: Exotic Far East – IGT
4. Top Performing NEW Video Reel Core Game
- Buffalo Gold Revolution – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNER
- Coin O Mania – IGT
- Fu Dai Lian Lian Dragon – Aristocrat
- Fu Dao Le Riches – Scientific Games
- Griffins Throne – IGT
- Heidi & Hannahs Bier Haus – Scientific Games
- Money Ball Inferno – Everi
- Multiplay Super Charged 7s – Ainsworth
- Rakin Bacon – AGS
- Treasure Ball – Lion Carnival – Konami
5. Top Performing NEW Mechanical Reel Core Game
- Cash Flurry – Aristocrat
- Cash Machine – Everi – 2019 WINNER
- Easy Riches – Everi
- Triple Double Diamond Progressive Free Games – IGT
6. Top Performing NEW Premium Game
- Buffalo Diamond – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNER
- Dancing Drums Explosion: Casino Royal – Scientific Games
- Farmville – Aristocrat
- Jin Ji Bao Xi – Rising Fortunes Sparkle – Scientific Games
- Shark Week – Jaws Of Steel – Everi
- Wheel Of Fortune – Exotic Far East – Cash Link – IGT
7. Top Performing NEW Cabinet – Core
- Infinity Summit – Incredible Technologies
- Kx 43 – Konami
- Mars X – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNER
- Muso Curve 43 – Aruze
- Orion Slant – AGS
- Twinstar Wave XL – Scientific Games
8. Top Performing NEW Cabinet – Premium
- Crystalcurve True 4D – IGT
- Edge X – Aristocrat
- Empire 5527 – Everi
- Flame 55 – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNER
- Infinity Pilot – Incredible Technologies
- Twinstar Wave XL – Scientific Games
9. Top Performing 3rd Party IP Branded Game
- Farmville – Aristocrat
- James Bond: Casino Royal – Scientific Games
- Shark Week – Jaws of Steel – Everi – 2019 WINNER
- Tarzan – Aristocrat
- Wheel of Fortune – Triple Gold Gold Spin – IGT
10. Top Performing Proprietary Branded Game
- Buffalo Diamond – Aristocrat
- Colossal Diamonds – AGS
- Crazy Money Deluxe – Incredible Technologies
- Dragon Link – Happy And Prosperous – Aristocrat – 2019 WINNER
- Fortune Gong Phoenix – IGT
- Jin Ji Bao Xi – Rising Fortunes – Scientific Games
- Lightning Link – Aristocrat
- Ultimate Fire Link: By the Bay – Scientific Games
11. Top Performing Electronic Table Game (ETG)
- Interblock – Roulette – 2019 WINNER
- IGT – Roulette
- Aruze – Craps
- Interblock – Baccarat
- Alfastreet – Roulette
- Scientific Games – Blackjack
- Scientific Games – Roulette
12. Top Performing Video Poker Game
- All Star Poker 2 – IGT
- Double Double Match Card Draw Poker – Scientific Games
- Ultimate X – IGT – 2019 WINNER
- Winners World Multigame – Aristocrat
13. Top Performing Interactive Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM)
- GemFlux! – Gamblit – 2019 WINNER
- MahJong – Synergy Blue
- Multiplayer Arena – GameCo
- Running Rich Reels – Competition Interactive
14. Most Improved Supplier – Core (Sponsored by Gaming Analytics)
- IGT – 2019 WINNER
- All Suppliers Considered
15. Most Improved Supplier – Premium
- Everi – 2019 WINNER
- All Suppliers Considered
16. Best Overall Supplier of Slot Content
- Aristocrat – 2019 WINNER
- All Suppliers Considered
Social Casino Awards
17. Best New Social Casino Game
- Cash Frenzy Slots Casino – Bole Games
- Double Win Casino Slots – Avid.ly
- Game of Thrones Slots Casino – Zynga – 2019 WINNER
- Tycoon Casino – Vegas Slots – Triwin Games
- Video Poker by Pokerist – KamaGames
18. Most Innovative Social Slot Game
- Huuuge Games – Huuuge Casino
- Scatter Slots – Murka – 2019 WINNER
- POP! Slots – PlayStudios
- MONOPOLY Slots – SciPlay
- Game of Thrones 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 – SciPlay
- my KONAMI featuring Konami content (published by PlayStudios) – 2019 WINNER
20. Top Social Casino Company – Sponsored by Aarki
- Aristocrat
- Bole Games
- Huuuge Games
- PlayStudios
- Playtika
- SciPlay – 2019 WINNER
iGaming Awards (Real-Money Online Gaming)
21. Best Overall Supplier of Online Table Games
- Evolution – 2019 WINNER
- IGT
- NetEnt
22. Best New Online Slot
- Fu Nan Fu Nu – AGS
- Goldstruck – High 5 Games
- Halloween Jack – NetEnt
- Jin Ji Bao Xi Endless Treasures – Scientific Games
- Quick Hit Ultra Pays Sun Dragon – Scientific Games – 2019 WINNER
- Star Watch Fire – Konami
- Wolf Ridge – IGT
23. Top Performing Online Slot
- 88 Fortunes – Scientific Games – 2019 WINNER
- Black Diamond – Everi
- Bonanza Megaways – Big Time Gaming
- Cleopatra – IGT
- Divine Fortune – NetEnt
- Maximus Soldier of Rome – Inspired
- Merlin'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 (now called Red Rock Resorts) is the largest Las Vegas based local's casino operator in the 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 the casino gaming industry. Todd created the gaming industry's largest slot survey tracking industry demand 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's 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. Eckert previously worked for MGM Resorts International as a Slot Analyst at Luxor, Excalibur, and then Bellagio 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 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 the 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 is General Manager at Gamesys. Ms. Bond has been in the online gambling sector for nearly 20 years, joining Gamesys in 2008. Gamesys operates one of NJ's first legal online casinos, VirginCasino.com, as well as managed services for fellow operators from Gamesys's New Jersey office.
Chris Grove is Managing Director of Sports Betting & Emerging Verticals for Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. Grove is a nationally recognized subject matter expert on the U.S. regulated sports betting landscape. His insights and research 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 at GAN, together with 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 he was identified among the Internet gaming industry's "Top 10 Supplier Superstars" by Gaming Intelligence.
Thomas Winter is SVP and General Manager of Online Gaming at Golden Nugget, the award-winning, U.S. 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 tenfold to $200m in 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 by calling Todd Eilers at (949) 387-7701, or visiting our website at www.ekgamingllc.com.
