ECA Slot Floor Excellence Awards Ceremony to be held on Day Two of ICE
The European Casino Association (ECA), representing the interests of 700 casinos across 29 countries, is delighted to announce the finalists for the inaugural ECA Slot Floor Excellence Awards Ceremony. Following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an independent jury panel, the shortlist recognises outstanding achievement, professionalism and dedication within casino slot floor operations across Europe.
The ECA Slot Floor Excellence Awards will culminate in the live announcement of the winners in all three categories, together with the full ranking of all shortlisted finalists, during the award ceremony on Day Two of ICE Barcelona (20 January 2026) at 5:00 PM on the Enterprise Stage at Fira Barcelona Gran Via. The awards ceremony is open to the public, and ECA and Clarion look forward to welcoming many visitors to celebrate the announcement of the winners and the full rankings of all shortlisted finalists.
The Finalists
Outstanding Slot Team of the Year
- Casinos Austria (Austria)
- Melco – City of Dreams Mediterranean (Cyprus)
- Hippodrome Casino (United Kingdom)
- Holland Casino (Netherlands)
Slot Floor Employee of the Year
- Halim Ajjouch – Holland Casino (Netherlands)
- Rosie Brooks – Hippodrome Casino (United Kingdom)
- Eeva Sirkka – Veikkaus Casino Helsinki (Finland)
Slot Floor Rising Star of the Year
- Storm Bertelkamp – Holland Casino (Netherlands)
- Christiakis Elia – Melco – City of Dreams Mediterranean (Cyprus)
- Ruth Waxenegger – Casinos Austria (Austria)
The slot floor remains a cornerstone of the land-based casino experience, serving as a primary attraction for millions of guests across Europe. However, the success of slot operations depends not merely on technology and equipment, but fundamentally on the human qualities, technical expertise and world-class hospitality delivered by dedicated professionals working on casino floors every day.
“Excellence in slot operations depends above all on the individuals and teams whose professionalism and dedication form the foundation of the European casino experience,” said Erwin van Lambaart, Chairman of the ECA. “These awards provide vital recognition for the often-overlooked contributions of slot floor staff to the overall success of casino operations. Ours is fundamentally a people business, and it is essential that we highlight and celebrate the special achievements of those who make the slot floor experience exceptional for our guests.”
The ECA Slot Floor Excellence Awards were established to honour the hospitality, professionalism and team spirit that define excellence in the casino industry. The three award categories recognise both rising talent and established professionals who have demonstrated exceptional collaboration, leadership, innovation and commitment to guest satisfaction.
Nominations were submitted by ECA member casinos in the last few weeks of 2025, with each entry accompanied by detailed achievement descriptions and letters of recommendation. An independent jury panel, comprising ECA representatives and leading global slot manufacturers under the supervision of ECA Honorary President Ron Goudsmit, evaluated all submissions against strict criteria including operational excellence, measurable success, leadership influence and contribution to team performance.
Ron Goudsmit, ECA Honorary President and Jury President, commented: “The quality of the nominations we received for this first edition, as well as the depth and sincerity of the letters of recommendation, were truly impressive and reflect the pride casinos take in their slot teams and professionals. The final rankings were an extremely close call, which underlines just how high the standard of excellence is across Europe’s land-based slot floors.”
The partnership with ICE Barcelona provides an ideal showcase for the awards, bringing together the global gaming industry’s elite for an unforgettable evening of celebration and recognition.
“ICE has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with the European Casino Association, whose members have made a significant contribution to the success of what has grown to be the world’s leading gaming industry event,” said Margaret Dunn, ICE Portfolio Director. “The ECA Slot Floor Excellence Awards sit perfectly with our values, and it is an honour to host them.”
The awards represent the ECA’s commitment to promoting best practice and supporting the continued growth and development of the land-based casino sector across Europe. By recognising exceptional talent and achievement in slot floor operations, the Association aims to inspire excellence, foster professional development and demonstrate the vital importance of investing in people within the casino industry.
Winners will be announced live during the ceremony on 20 January 2026, with each recipient receiving recognition for their outstanding contributions to European casino excellence.
The post European Casino Association announces finalists for inaugural Slot Floor Excellence Awards at ICE 2026 appeared first on G3 Newswire.
ECA Slot Floor Excellence Awards Ceremony to be held on Day Two of ICE The European Casino Association (ECA), representing the interests of 700 casinos across 29 countries, is delighted to announce the finalists for the inaugural ECA Slot Floor Excellence Awards Ceremony. Following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an independent jury panel, the shortlist…
The post European Casino Association announces finalists for inaugural Slot Floor Excellence Awards at ICE 2026 appeared first on G3 Newswire.