GGB NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: Innovation Rules at Gaming & Technology Awards

The winners of 19th Annual GGB Gaming & Technology Awards were announced at this week’s virtual Global Gaming Expo (G2E). If you weren’t able to join us, here’s how it went.

GGB NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: Innovation Rules at Gaming & Technology Awards

Gaming’s most respected technology awards reveal the top innovators in the industry—the winners of the 19th Annual GGB Gaming & Technology Awards. The GGB Gaming & Technology Awards are the industry standard in the field, recognizing excellence in innovation and practical application in all gaming disciplines. Hundreds of gaming products and services were entered into this important competition.

The awards prove that innovation did not cease with the industry shutdowns and other challenges this year has presented. In fact, the industry’s suppliers responded to the crisis with a host of new products designed to facilitate a safe return to business. Because of this, we’ve added a new category to this year’s awards, Best Guest Health & Safety Product.

“Once again, the nominations for the GGB Gaming & Technology Awards represented the best new products and services in the gaming industry,” says Roger Gros, publisher of Global Gaming Business Magazine, which administers the awards program.

“As technology advances at a rapid pace, it’s often difficult for casino executives to stay current. The judges for the GGB Gaming & Technology Awards are some of the most dedicated and respected executives in the business, so their opinion carries a great deal of weight. The winners of this year’s edition beat out some amazing competition and demonstrated true innovation.”

The sixth category this year, the Best Guest Health & Safety Product, accepted nominations from companies producing products and services related to the Covid-19 situation.

“We’ve been very impressed with the products that we’ve seen come out responding to the shutdowns,” said Gros. “The products are innovative and effective, ensuring the safety and health of all employees and guests to casinos. We’ve pleased to be able to give these companies a platform that will enable them to the word out about their products.”

The awards were presented in concert with the virtual Global Gaming Expo on October 28. If you weren’t able to join us, you can view the video of the presentation here:

Judges for the awards are: Claudia Winkler, president of GHI Solutions; Rob Russell, gaming analyst, Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C.; Frank Neborsky, general manager, the Downs at Albuquerque; Gerhard Burda, president and CEO, ESCAPES Advisory Services; Cliff Paige, slot director, South Point Casino Resort, Las Vegas; and Skyelar Perkins, corporate slot director, Choctaw Casinos.

Nominations for the 2022 GGB Gaming & Technology Awards will open in June 2021, and include new products and services to be introduced in 2021 or 2022.

GGB Gaming & Technology Awards 2021

Best Productivity-Enhancement Technology
Gold: rGuest Service • Agilysys
Silver: SYNK31 • Konami Gaming, Inc.

Best Table Game Product or Innovation
Gold: TableView with Chip Recognition • Scientific Games
Silver: TITA System • JCM Global

Best Slot Product
Gold: The Vault • Everi
Silver: Cash Express Luxury Line • Aristocrat

Best Interactive Product
Gold: Mystic Slots • Ruby Seven Studios: SMSC Gaming Enterprise – Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Silver: IGT PlaySports Platform • IGT

Best Consumer-Service Technology
Gold: Bring Your Own Device • Kambi
Silver: CashClub Wallet Core Edition • Everi

Best Guest Health & Safety Product
Gold: In the Clear • Aristocrat
Silver: Social Distancing & Automated Game Sanitization • Scientific Games