partypoker Wins Poker Operator of the Year, Ends PokerStars’ Dominance

October 27, 2017 Matthew Pitt

partypoker won the ‘Poker Operator of the Year’ award at the EGR Operator Awards 2017 in London on Oct. 26, ending a run of three consecutive victories for PokerStars.

The award ceremony took place at Grosvenor House in London and were attended by more than 800 industry professionals from the gambling industry’s leading operators. The EGR Operator Awards are the most prestigious event in the egaming calendar and they reward B2C operators for setting the standard across 30 categories.

GVC Holdings, owner of the partypoker brand, was shortlisted with 888poker, Pokerdom, PokerStars and Sky Betting & Gaming in the Poker Operator of the Year category, an award that PokerStars won in 2014, 2015 and 2016. As GVC/partypoker was announced as the category winner, there were lots of cheers around the room.

The recognition for partypoker rewards the sweeping, positive changes the management team has put into place over the past 12 months. These changes include a revamped tournament schedule, a new live tour, the reintroduction of rakeback for all players, an extensive stable of top poker professionals representing the site, and refreshed software; there is a much more positive feel around partypoker these days and the industry has recognized that fact.

Speaking exclusively to PokerNews, Managing Director of partypoker Tom Waters, said: “We are delighted that partypoker was voted poker operator of the year at the EGR awards last night. partypoker has been transformed from a declining brand to a poker site that is now delivering a real challenge to the global poker market. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the partypoker team over the last year and hopefully this is just the beginning.”

GVC Holdings also won the Casino Operator of the Year award, while Sky Betting & Gaming stole the show with four separate awards. Sky Betting & Gaming can now proudly call themselves the Football Betting Operator of the Year, In-play Sports Operator of the Year, Sports Betting Operator of the Year and the Mobile Operator of the Year.

Some of the other awards included:

Award Winner Bingo Affiliate Which Bingo Casino Affiliate Better Collective Sports Affiliate Skores Affiliate Programme Casumo Spread Betting Operator Spreadex eSports Operator Danske Spil Fantasy Sports Dribble Customer Services Operator Betsson Group In-house Product Colossus Bets Mobile Bingo Product Mecca Bingo Mobile Casino Product LeoVegas Mobile Sports Product bet365 Football Betting Operator Sky Betting & Gaming Marketing Campaign The Stars Group Rising Star PlayOJO Slots Operator Kindred Lottery Operator Lottoland Poker Operator GVC/partypoker Bingo Operator tombola Sports Betting Operator Sky Betting & Gaming Affiliate of the Year Easyodds Socially Responsible Operator Tombola Game of the Year Wild Toro by ELK Studio Operator of the Year bet365