February 6th saw the industry celebrate the first British Casino Awards, held at London’s Hippodrome Casino…

The venue.
It was a night designed to celebrate the best of the British casino industry, with fine food and drinks, good company, and a polished awards ceremony with a superb host in comedian Ian Moore.
A significant amount of money (£1290, $250 and €20) was also raised on the night for charity CHIPS through donations; and in an utterly wonderful gesture, Genting pledged to fund an entire powered wheelchair for the charity.

The Hippodrome’s Simon Thomas mid-tale.
We would also like to acknowledge the work of our esteemed judging panel, who also presented awards on the night. The group comprises Linda Lindsay (CHIPS), Tracy Damestani (National Casino Forum), Colleen Hickson (National Gaming Academy), Jimmy Howard (independent marketing projects consultant), and Julian Harris (Harris Hagan law firm). Julian’s place was taken on the evening of the awards by his law firm partner John Hagan.
Here’s to next year’s event – more news on that soon…
The winners:
Independent UK Casino Operator of the Year: The Hippodrome Casino, London
Highly commended: Aspinalls
Multiple UK Casino Operator of the Year: Grosvenor Casinos
Highly commended: Aspers Group
Overall Casino Operator of the Year: Grosvenor Casinos
Highly commended: Aspers Group
European Casino Operator of the year: Admiral
Highly commended: Casinos Austria
Best UK Marketing Programme: Grosvenor Casinos, Goliath Poker
Highly commended: Aspers World Launch, Aspers Group
Best UK Casino Customer Service: Grosvenor Sheffield – customer service hub
Highly commended: The Hippodrome Casino, London
Best UK Casino Restaurant: The Hippodrome Casino, Heliot Steak House, London
Highly commended: The Colony Club, Genting UK
National Casino Forum Diversity Award: Aspers Group/Aspers Westfield
Highly commended: Grosvenor Casinos
CHIPS Corporate Community Engagement Award: Aspers Westfield Stratford City
Best UK Table Gaming Product, Including ETG: Ace King Suited Progressive, Grosvenor
Highly commended: Evolution Gaming – Live Roulette from Grosvenor Victoria
Best UK CMS/Software Product: NEON (Playtech/Intelligent Gaming)
Highly commended: SENSE (Software for Data Analysis Ltd)
Rising Star Award: Paul Baines, Grosvenor Casinos
Highly commended: Mark Stothard, Grosvenor Casinos
CHIPS Community Engagement Award: Irene Nuqui, Genting UK
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mr Richard Wade