Aristocrat, IGT big winners at EKG Slot Awards
The seventh annual EKG Slot Awards, hosted by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming on February 27 at the Palms in Las Vegas, unveiled a mix of anticipated outcomes and surprising first-time recognitions among slot suppliers. Notably, several companies achieved their highest number of awards yet, showcasing the dynamic progress within the sector.
Unsurprisingly, Aristocrat Gaming secured the prestigious title of Best Overall Supplier of Slot Content for the seventh consecutive year—an unprecedented achievement within the gambling industry. This continued dominance underscores Aristocrat’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences.
“The EKG Awards reflect the pinnacle of performance in our industry, and we are immensely grateful to our customers for enabling us to entertain players with our top-tier gaming content, hardware, and systems,” stated Craig Toner, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming, in a post-award press release.
“In both land-based and online gaming sectors, our mission is to curate the ultimate player experience. These accolades stand as a testament to the dedication of our talented global teams who bring this vision to life.”
Navigating Increasing Competition
While Aristocrat maintained its overall supremacy, the company experienced a notable shift in the individual category awards, ceding several titles to rival suppliers.
In 2022, Aristocrat dominated with nine individual awards; however, in 2023, it garnered six awards, reflecting the increasingly competitive landscape. Light & Wonder emerged as a formidable contender in 2024, securing seven individual awards compared to Aristocrat’s five.
This year, Aristocrat’s only individual recognition beyond the Best Overall Supplier award was for its innovative King Max cabinet, which was awarded Top Performing New Premium Cabinet. IGT and Light & Wonder significantly impacted the individual categories, with IGT gaining an impressive seven awards, closely followed by Light & Wonder with six.
- IGT’s Awards Included:
- Top Performing New Premium Game: Tiger & Dragon Cash On Reels
- Top Performing Third Party IP Branded Game: Whitney Houston
- Top Performing Video Poker/Keno Game: Mega Hot Poker
- Most Innovative Land-Based Game: Tiger & Dragon Cash On Reels
- Top Performing New Online Table Game: Blackjack Poker & Pairs Surrender
- Best Overall Supplier of Online Content
- Light & Wonder’s Awards Included:
- Top Performing New Core Video Game: Huff N Even More Puff
- Top Performing New Core Mechanical Reel Game: Double Blazing 777 2X3X5X
- Social Slots Game of the Year: 88 Fortunes
- Most Innovative Online Game: StacKing Kong
- Most Improved Supplier-Premium
- Social Casino Operator of the Year: SciPlay
This year’s awards program balanced anticipated triumphs with the emergence of new industry players, highlighting both stability and innovation.
Recognizing Tradition and Innovation
Zitro reclaimed its title for Top Performing Game-Latin America with its hit game, Mighty Hammer Link Up. Interblock once again secured its status as the Top Performing Electronic Table Game Supplier. Notably, Sega Sammy received its first two EKG Slot Awards, with Genesis Atmos being recognized as the Top Performing New Core Cabinet and Railroad Riches-Sheriff earning accolades for Top Performing Game from an Emerging Supplier.
Additionally, Incredible Technologies was honored as the Most Improved Supplier-Core, marking its rise in the competitive landscape.
On the iGaming front, AGS and Ainsworth also made their mark—AGS garnered the award for Top Performing New Online Slot Game with 3X Ultra Diamond, while Ainsworth was recognized for Top Performing Omnichannel Slot Game with San Fa Pandas. White Hat Studios was acknowledged as the Most Improved Supplier of Online Content.
Honoring Excellence: EKG Awards Hall of Fame
This year’s ceremony also saw the induction of two distinguished figures into the EKG Slot Awards Hall of Fame. In the Game Development category, Dominic Tiberio was honored for his pivotal role at Bally Manufacturing since 1963. He created the revolutionary Money Honey, the first electro-mechanical slot machine, and subsequently developed a plethora of popular games, retiring in 2008.
For Slot Operations, Robert Allen was recognized, whose extensive career included pivotal roles in major casinos such as Harrah’s Marina, Tropicana, and Pinnacle Entertainment. He retired in 2017, leaving a substantial legacy within the industry.
The voting process for land-based category winners involved over 120 qualified slot directors from more than 320 casinos across the US and Canada, representing a staggering 330,000 slot machines. Meanwhile, winners in the iGaming and social casino segments were determined by a panel of distinguished industry experts, ensuring that the EKG Slot Awards uphold their esteemed reputation.
